We have all heard the term ‘neurological injury,’ usually thrown around in hospital dramas or health-related discussions, but what does it really mean? Our nervous system is like a vast, complex network of wires that relay information from every part of our body to our brain and vice versa. It is the control center for all we do, from making a cup of coffee to figuring out a math problem. Now, imagine if a part of this information highway gets damaged. That is what a neurological injury is – damage to any part of this complex system.
Neurological injuries damage the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. Such injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, diseases, infections, strokes, and conditions present at birth. People with neurological injuries can experience problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving. They may struggle with emotions and behavior, finding themselves feeling angry, anxious, or depressed. Some may even have trouble with basic physical functions like speaking, swallowing, or controlling their bladder.
The types of neurological injuries can be divided into several categories based on the area affected, how the injury occurred, and what specifically is wrong. Here is a simplified breakdown.
Types of Neurological Injuries
Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI): These are injuries that happen after birth and are not genetic or congenital. An example would be a stroke, where the blood supply to a part of the brain gets cut off, causing brain cells to die, and leading to varying degrees of physical and mental impairment.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): As the name suggests, these injuries occur due to trauma to the head, such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury that disrupts normal brain function. TBIs can range from mild (like a minor concussion) to severe (causing long-term damage or even coma). They can happen due to accidents, falls, or violent impacts.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. This happens when there’s damage to the nerve fibers passing through the spinal cord, disrupting communication between the brain and parts of the body.
Peripheral Nerve Injuries: These are injuries to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. They can result in pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area. Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist, is a common type of peripheral nerve injury.
Stroke: This is a kind of acquired brain injury where the brain’s blood supply is interrupted, usually by a clot or a burst blood vessel. The lack of oxygen can kill brain cells and cause lasting damage.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: While not injuries in the traditional sense, these are conditions that cause progressive damage or death of nerve cells over time. They include diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which can lead to symptoms like memory loss, movement problems, and difficulty speaking or swallowing.
Infections: Certain infections can also damage the nervous system, such as meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) or polio (a virus that can cause paralysis).
Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury: These are injuries caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. ‘Hypoxic’ means that the brain received some, but not enough oxygen, while ‘anoxic’ means that the brain received no oxygen. This can occur in instances of cardiac arrest, drowning, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Treatment
The best approach to neurological injuries, of course, is prevention. Wearing seat belts and helmets, using caution when playing sports, and managing health conditions like high blood pressure can all help reduce the risk. But when an injury occurs, the first step is to get immediate medical attention. Treatment for neurological injuries depends on the specific injury and its severity. It often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including emergency medical care, surgery, rehabilitation (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), pain management, and mental health support.
Recovery from a neurological injury can be a long, tough road. It’s important to remember that every person’s recovery journey is unique, but with patience, perseverance, and support, recovery is possible.
Learn More About My Programs
Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.
Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.
Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.
