ABOUT BRAIN INJURY

What is a Brain Injury?

Brain injury refers to a sudden change in brain function, which prevents the brain from performing the way it normally does. Many people are surprised to learn that concussions, for example, are b

SBIA works with people who have acquired brain injuries (ABI), which means that the injury to the brain was sustained sometime after birth. 

There are two main types of acquired brain injury:

  1. Traumatic: caused by a blow or other type of external impact to the head. Injuries in this category can be caused by hard falls, car accidents, sports injuries, and other collisions.

  2. Non-traumatic: acquired as a result of a health issue within the body, such as a stroke, tumor, infection, or anoxia (when the body is deprived of oxygen).

Brain injuries are irreversible - they do not heal like injuries to the skin or the body.

However, we as a community can do our best to prevent brain injuries. Click here to find out more.

What Changes After You Acquire a Brain Injury?

Cognitive Effects

  • Difficulty with memory

  • Trouble with communicating verbally or in writing

  • Struggle to control emotions.

  • Difficulty concentrating

Physical Effects

  • Difficulty moving certain muscles

  • Trouble with coordination

  • Confused sensory perceptions

  • Deafness

  • Dizziness

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Seizures

  • Blindness

Social Effects

  • more dependent on others

  • difficult to return to work or school

  • suddenly forced to adapt to a very different lifestyle

  • social isolation

While some symptoms are more common than others, no two brain injuries are alike. One survivor’s symptoms can differ greatly from another’s, which could be down to the nature of the injury, differences in the individuals' brains pre-injury, or simply the individuals' personalities.

Facts & Statistics

A Brain Injury Can Happen To Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

Brain Injury Canada has multiple series of infographics you can use to learn from, educate others, and in advocating on behalf of the brain injury community. These infographics were developed thanks to the support of our honourary patron Dan Andreae.

INFOGRAPHICS

CONCUSSIONS

BRAIN INJURY

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