If you are worried about Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and are searching for ways to prevent them, rest assured you are not the only one. In fact, it is quite normal to wonder how something so serious can happen and what precautions can be taken to avoid them, especially when you have seen the after-effects.
In this blog, we will explore some ways in which you can minimize the risk of TBIs and promote brain-based safety.
Before we talk about the different ways Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can be prevented, it is important to learn what TBIs actually are and what effects they directly cause.
The most intricate yet important organ in the human body is the brain. It serves our intellect, controls our body, interprets the different senses, and is the source of thought.
Falls, accidents, or sports injuries often result in TBIs and can have devastatingly long and life-changing effects on an individual and their family. While the occurrence of TBIs is usually unexpected, there are certain measures we can take to prevent them.
Let us look into the different strategies we can apply on an individual and community basis to help reduce the risk of TBIs.
1. Educate People and Raise Awareness
Educating the public about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of TBIs is key to preventing it. To ensure that people have the necessary knowledge required to recognize risks and prevent them, raising awareness through workshops and other channels is important.
2. Fall Prevention Protocols
Since falling is a major cause of TBIs, especially among the elderly, taking measures to prevent falls can significantly reduce the risk of such injuries. Here are the steps you can take to prevent falls:
- Install grab bars in the bathrooms
- Use proper footwear (beveled or rounded heel)
- Remove tripping hazards (cluttered toys, loose rugs, etc.)
- Exercise regularly to improve balance
3. Prevention of Violence
Violence-related TBIs are also observed to be common. Community programs and support systems that promote non-violence through peaceful resolution of conflict can help reduce the consistency of TBIs caused by assault or other forms of intentional harm.
4. Protective Gear in Sports and Hazardous Work
Work hazards and sports are also considerable causes of TBIs. We can minimize the risk of head injuries by wearing appropriate protective gear. If you work on a construction site, you must remember to wear a hard hat. If you cycle, skateboard, ski, or play team sports like football or baseball, helmets are essential for your safety.
Although helmets have true capabilities to reduce skull fractures and penetrating injuries, they have struggled to prevent TBI. New technology, such as Qcolar, has recently been authorized by the FDA to make actual claims of safety and efficacy in preventing TBI (the first and only device the FDA has authorized to make those claims).
Until now, pro-level combat sports like boxing or MMA do not have the option for protective gear. This is what has led the likes of Snuka, Fujiwara, and many other fighters to their final end – death. Others like Prichard Colon and Paul Williams suffered irreversible damage and are paralyzed for the rest of their lives.
Ending Notes
While traumatic brain injuries are not completely preventable, we can apply several measures to mitigate risks. From public awareness campaigns and peaceful conflict resolution to promoting the use of protective gear and ways to prevent falling, there are many ways in which we can create a world where the risk of TBIs is minimum.
When Heads Come Together by David W. Smith, MD, is a recommended read for you if you are interested in learning more about the preventative measures against TBI and the treatments that can prove effective. The book dives deep into the topic of encephalopathy (CTE) – a prevalent cause of degenerative diseases among athletes due to multiple TBIs that were left untreated.
To develop perspective and understanding of medical science in the simple language of ordinary people, When Heads Come Together does not disappoint. The book will introduce you to the lesser-known world of scientific discovery and the processes involved in utilizing and marketing the world's most awarded and awaited technologies.
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