{"id":3019,"date":"2017-08-29T22:51:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-29T22:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/?p=3019"},"modified":"2017-08-29T22:51:16","modified_gmt":"2017-08-29T22:51:16","slug":"coping-with-brain-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/coping-with-brain-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"A Caregiver’s Guide to Coping With Brain Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Caregiver\u2019s Guide to Coping with Brain Injury<\/h2>\n

With brain injuries on the rise in Canada, there\u2019s increasing interest in learning more about these devastating injuries and their impact on the affected patients\u2019 lives coping with brain injury<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For anyone who has a family member suffering from this type of injury, however, that interest goes beyond mere curiosity.<\/p>\n

Those affected family members need to better understand this injury so that they can more effectively assist their loved ones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have a relative coping with brain injury, it is vital to understand how that injury affects your loved one, and the unique challenges that he or she confronts because of that condition.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Understanding Brain Injuries<\/h3>\n

According to estimates, there are roughly 165,000 brain injuries in Canada<\/a> each year \u2013 and those are just the reported cases. On average, those estimates suggest that one of these injuries happens about every three minutes.<\/p>\n

Nearly half are the result of car accidents, but many others occur due to falls, workplace injuries, other medical conditions, and physical activities like sports. They are an extremely dangerous type of injury since even minor injuries can eventually end in permanent damage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Brain<\/p>\n

The Types of Brain Injury<\/h3>\n

Brain injuries are typically classified as one of two types: the dreaded traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and the acquired brain injury.<\/p>\n

The former is always the result of some external event<\/a> \u2013 an accident, fall, or other event that damages the head. The impact event causes movement of the brain within the skull, leading to damage.<\/p>\n

A traumatic brain injury is usually due to pressure exerted upon the brain, and is often seen after a stroke or in association with a tumor.<\/p>\n

To further complicate matters, the symptoms can vary in accordance with the severity of the injury. For some, minor injuries are often of a temporary nature.<\/p>\n

Those patients often experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, confusion, and troubles with memory. In other words, many of the same symptoms experienced by concussion patients.<\/p>\n

Moderately severe injuries generally produce the same symptoms, but take longer to heal.<\/p>\n

It is with the more severe brain injuries that the truly life-altering problems begin to manifest. If your injured family member is struggling to cope with brain injury, chances are that the condition is serious.<\/p>\n

That patient will experience problems that can range from actual physical disabilities to cognitive and behavioral issues. To provide truly effective support, you will need to learn about how those challenges impact your loved one\u2019s life, and the things that you can do to help him or her cope.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Challenges that Patients Face<\/h3>\n

With severe brain injuries, the challenge can be immense. Treatment for traumatic brain injury, compensation issues, and brain injury recovery<\/a> are all priority concerns for patients and their families.<\/p>\n

Brain injury sufferers often struggle with problems in many areas of life, as their condition can affect the body, mind, and emotions.<\/p>\n

As a caregiver or part of a support system, you could see your loved one facing challenges like:<\/p>\n