Frequently Asked Questions

We will attempt to give you an outline of the symptoms and causes of brain injuries. If you would like more detailed information, by far the most comprehensive description found on the internet is found on The Brain Injury Association of America website. www.biausa.org

• Falls
• Strokes
• Aneurysms
• Sporting Activities
• Heart Attacks
• Oxygen Deprivation
• Vehicle Collisions
• Tumors
• Shaken Baby Syndrom
• Swelling of the Brain.

Brain Injury FAQ Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause - accounting for between 30-50 percent of all traumatic brain injuries. Falls, and sports injuries also cause a large number of traumatic brain injuries.

The majority (up to two thirds) of the people who sustain a brain injury are under 30. For older adults falls are the leading cause of injury.

Young men aged 15 to 24 are most at risk of sustaining brain injuries. This is due to driving habits and participation in high risk activities and contact sports.

Aboriginals are three times as likely to sustain a brain injury than the normal population

Every year: Approximately 10 000 Albertans sustain a brain injury 1700 – 1800 require ongoing support of one kind or another Alberta hospitals see approximately 5,000 brain injury victims every year.

Symptoms of a brain injury vary depending on the severity of injury, the area of the brain affected, the length of time elapsed since the injury, the health/age of the individual suffering the injury. Each injury is different and some symptoms may be present and others not. Please note that the prevalence of symptoms will usually increase with the severity of the injury. Symptoms may be temporary in nature (if a mild injury) or may be more long term or permanent (a more serious injury).

The following is a list of possible symptoms:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Ringing in the Ears, Balance Problems (Vertigo) or Loss of Hearing
• Slurred Speech
• Coma
• Incontinence
• Blood or Spinal Fluid Coming out the Ears
• Loss of Consciousness
• Vomiting
• Dilated Puplis
• Impaired Ability to Speak or Think Clearly
• Changes in Personality including but not limited to: Anger Issues, Agressive Behavior, Impulsivity and Mood Disorders
• Poor Short Term and/or Long Term Memory
• Dizziness
• Perseveration (talking about the same thing over and over)
• Paralysis Body Numbness or Tingling
• Slow Pulse or Breathing
• Poor or Impaired Ability to Problem Solve
• Parkinson-like Tremors
• Altered Sense of Taste or Smell