15-year-old Jake lost his balance on his electric skateboard one evening in Florida and was thrown off. When he was brought to emergency care, he had a broken collarbone, multiple skull fractures, and contusions on the brain that resulted in traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury has its physical manifestations.
For Jake, it caused motor, cognitive, sensory, and even emotional impairments.
He had to deal with severe headaches, tiredness, balance issues, light sensitivity, and sometimes blurred and double vision.
According to his mother, Laura, her son was also confused, disoriented, agitated, and combative at times.
For Jake and the family, it was extremely challenging to process what was happening, and the situation appeared scary for them.
This can be the situation for any person dealing with a traumatic brain injury or that of a loved one. The road ahead appears full of uncertainties, regression, instability, and various other challenges.
Having treated hundreds of TBI patients successfully and supported their families, we have come up with a few important points to help our readers deal with the condition and the overwhelming situation effectively.
How to cope with TBI
Brain Injury is just the beginning. What follows are months of proper treatment, care, patience, and perseverance by the patient and their family.
- Jake’s family found support with a dedicated team of professionals. They were trauma experts, neurosurgeons, orthopedists, psychologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. They all helped the teenager recover as soon as possible. This is the most important must-do. Turn to experts and trust them. They are qualified to provide the high level of care that TBI patients need for stability and progress.
- It is normal to be stressed in case of a difficult situation. Stress sends the human body into a fight or flight mode. Brain injury patients find it very hard to manage and regulate their stress levels due to the injury, while their families may equally find it difficult to keep their stress levels in control because of the pressure of caring for their loved one. This can exacerbate symptoms, and managing stress becomes most crucial. Simple ways to curb stress on both sides are physical exercise, adequate sleep, talking to professionals like psychologists and counselors, or people who have undergone similar experiences through a support group, and relaxation through meditation.
- Rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping patients deal with the effects of TBI. The module can enhance the basic ability of functioning in patients, address their physical, mental, and emotional problems, and prevent complications like blood clots, pain, bedsores, breathing issues, fluctuations in blood pressure, muscle weakness, and bowel irregularities.
But there is a catch.
There is always a chance that the therapy may lead to new injuries or worsen the existing symptoms if carried out incorrectly. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to work with specialists who are skilled and experienced.
- Medication management is very important during the treatment process of TBI. These may be prescribed by doctors based on the severity of the condition and to deal with symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and mood swings.
- Following a routing is key for all TBI patients. A routine provides stability and predictability, which is very advantageous for patients as well as their families. The consistency further promotes enhancement in memory and better performance in tasks.
- Whoever undermines the role of nutrition in dealing with TBI effectively doesn’t have complete knowledge. A well-balanced diet is extremely important to maintain proper brain functioning in patients and improve their overall health. A diet rich in nutrients actively supports the body’s healing process.
- Last but surely not least is to celebrate small wins and milestones. For that, setting realistic and achievable goals is mandatory. These can be set together along with the therapists and the healthcare team to ensure that the patient and their family is on the same page with the progress and keep a positive mindset throughout the recovery journey.
This also helps the healthcare team monitor the progress of the patient and make the necessary modifications.
A serious condition like TBI can be overwhelming and threatening. But like all the other challenges in life, this condition can be properly managed, and the patient can bounce back to their normal routine. All it takes is the right approach, working with the right people, and keeping the right mindset.
