Westchester County

Published on: May 20, 2012

The symptoms of bTBI (explosive blast traumatic brain injury) can actually be very subtle, doctors tell New York Brain Injury Lawyers

by Stephen Bilkis

The symptoms of bTBI (explosive blast traumatic brain injury) can actually be very subtle, doctors tell sources. Sometimes, there is no outward sign of injury until certain symptoms begin to arise, like headaches, vertigo, or short-term memory loss. Because of this, victims of bTBI should be evaluated by a physician or psychologist to determine how extensive their injuries might be, if any. Neurophysical evaluation should be a part of this examination. There are currently efforts to create neuropsychological tests that can be automated on laptop computer or are easy enough to be used to by first responders who may have less training.

Patient who may have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) should see a combat stress team provider or a psychiatrist as soon as possible. It is very important to remember, doctors have learned, that bTBI and PTSD can have very similar symptoms and may occur alone or together in a patient. It may be difficult to tell them apart.

When TBI may be present in a patient, that person should be excused from all combat-related duties. The patient should be put on light duty until the symptoms are gone or until he or she is moved to a place where advanced neuroimaging, like MRI, may be used, and a more detailed evaluation can be used. Lawyers in Staten Island and Westchester have determined that it is vital for a patient suffering TBI, or who may be suffering from it, to be treated with the utmost care, so the condition does not become worse.

Published on: May 16, 2012

Explosive blast traumatic brain injury (bTBI) can be a complicated thing, New York Brain Injury Lawyers have learned.

by Stephen Bilkis

Explosive blast traumatic brain injury(bTBI) can be a complicated thing, sources have learned. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined secondary, tertiary, and even quaternary effects that may contribute to a particular patient’s condition.

The primary injury comes from the forces created by the explosion itself. Secondary injury might occur due to matter thrown by the explosion, like fragments from the weapon itself, or debris in the immediate environment. Tertiary injury occurs when the victim is thrown by the blast to strike a wall or the ground. Finally, quaternary injuries may occur from factors not included in the first three, like burns or inhalation of toxic fumes.

Doctors have seen that the injuries can cause a number of symptoms. It might be as mild as a brief period of confusion – or it may lead to a coma. Severe bTBI commonly leads to diffuse cerebral edema and hyperemia, developing rapidly, within an hour after the initial blast injury. This type of injury seems to be much more common with blasts, as opposed to other forms of traumatic brain injury, and this type of injury has lead to military neurosurgeons performing more decompressive craniectomies more often than they would for penetrative traumatic brain injury (pTBI) or closed head traumatic brain injury (cTBI).

Published on: April 25, 2012

Head injury data can come from a number of sources

by Stephen Bilkis

Head injury data can come from a number of sources, according to Lawyers, allowing for a comprehensive study of the causes and effects, so treatment might be more efficient and effective – or even so such injuries can be prevented entirely, in some cases.

National public health records in New York City and Westchester are largely mortality studies from death certificates. There may be some information available from hospital admissions, depending upon the country, doctors have found. In fact, in some locations, the authorities keep records of cause-related injuries, like industrial injuries.

Studies specifically related to head injury can also be a good source of data. These can be used to study such things as incidence and mortality rates across an entire nation. This can be difficult, however, when it comes to a large population. Whatever findings the studies reveal might underestimate the real rates.

Published on: April 16, 2012

Nutrition Key to Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

by Stephen Bilkis

A new report suggests that an infusion of calories and proteins may help reduce inflammation and aid recovery in traumatic brain injury cases, as brought forth by a Lawyer.

Service members wounded on the battlefield are finding that proper nutrition plays an important role in improving the outcome of their traumatic brain injury. This is especially true if it is administered soon after they incur the injury, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report proclaims.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Defense, urges the military to make calorie and protein-based infusions a standard part of care in the immediate aftermath of an injury.

Published on: March 23, 2012

Secondary brain injury is what occurs after the damage caused by the initial impact to the skull

by Stephen Bilkis

Secondary brain injury is what occurs after the damage caused by the initial impact to the skull, according to doctors. Medical professionals classify it into two types: extracranial and intracranial.

Extracranial secondary brain damage cause problems either by restricting the flow of oxygen to the brain or restricting the flow of blood. Both of these conditions can eventually cause the death of brain cells. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if undetected for a time.

The most extreme consequence of oxygen deprivation is the persistent vegetative state (PVS) or death. Secondary brain damage due to lack of oxygen or low blood pressure can even occure to those who have already been admitted to intensive care units, according to studiess. Some studies have shown this can occur in about a third of patients, even when such an injury was not detected earlier.

Published on: February 16, 2012

New Bill Offers Hope

by Stephen Bilkis

The Wounded Warrior Project is looking forward to the introduction and passage of a new bill that would help warriors suffering severe traumatic brain injury live better lives after their sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan, describes a doctor.

The bill, called The Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services’ Improvement Act of 2011, would make it mandatory for the VA to give veterans with severe traumatic brain injury ongoing long-term care with the hope of future rehabilitation. This would include support services that emphasize personal independence and a better quality of life for the patient.

“This important bipartisan, bi-cameral legislation would close critical gaps in VA rehabilitation programs for warriors who have suffered severe traumatic brain injury,” the executive director of the Wounded Warrior Project told reporters. “These complex injuries often require long-term rehabilitative care. The legislation would help ensure that needed rehabilitation is not prematurely cut off, and that these veterans can get the supports they need – whether those are health-services or non-medical assistance – to achieve maximum independence and quality of life.”

Published on: February 2, 2012

Injury in a vehicular accident is often caused by damage to the vehicle

by Stephen Bilkis

Since so many head injuries are caused by motor vehicles, doctors and hospitals have looked into the patterns of cause when it comes to vehicle accidents. It was discovered that the severity of the injury was directly linked to the incidence of head injury, pelvic and femoral fractures, and abdominal injury.

Injury in a vehicular accident is often caused by damage to the vehicle, like dashboard intrusion, steering wheel deformation, windshield violation, and the vehicle’s frame being crumpled. Impacts from the front or the side often damages the passenger side. Seatbelts were shown to cause a lower incident of severe injury, including head injury, doctors learned.

Motorcyclists are often prone to injury, due to their relative exposure. Collision with another vehicle and loss of control of the motorcycle contribute to all most all head injuries to motorcyclists. The compulsory use of helmets has actually reduced the death rate, according to a study.

Published on: January 24, 2012

Head injury patterns differ between children and adults

by Stephen Bilkis

Head injurypatterns differ between children and adults, New York Brain Studies have learned. In the case of children, falls are the most common cause of injury. Most of those that required admission to the hospital were minor. In the case of serious injuries, most of them were pedestrian injuries from motor vehicles. Falls were only second here, followed closely by pedal cycling injuries and being an occupant of a motor vehicle. The most common component of severe injuries was injuries to the head. Falls were more likely to cause injuries both at ages 0-1 and again in adolescence. This was confirmed by hospitals in New York City and Westchester.

Head injury is the major cause of increase in severity, when it comes to children. Such cases often included abdominal injury and pedestrian accidents were the most frequent cause of injury, according to accounts. Severe head injuries for children in general are linked to vehicle accidents. Many of these accidents occur when the children are playing and not in a vehicle, and very close to the child’s home, often in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Such accidents were also more likely in less affluent neighborhoods.

Once more seatbelts play a high role in making a difference to the frequency of severe injury when the child is a passenger in a vehicle, studies have affirmed. Those children without seatbelts showed more injuries and more severe injuries, with longer stays in the hospital. They were also more likely to suffer long-term impairment.

Published on: January 21, 2012

Safety features in vehicles contribute a great deal to preventing head injuries

by Stephen Bilkis

Safety features in vehicles contribute a great deal to preventing head injuries, doctors have learned. Such factors can be the difference between safety and a debilitating or even fatal injury.

The windshield of a car is a big safety consideration. When made out of materials like laminated glass, it can be made not to shatter into sharp fragments that penetrate the brain or eyes. It seems to have reduced injury in real crashes. Car manufacturers are now looking into ways to make the steering wheel and the hard components of the roof safer in case of a crash. The roof or its supporting pillars are often the cause of head injury, studies have discovered.

When it comes to frontal impacts, the energy of the crash can be greatly reduced by inserting an airbag between the occupant and the force of the impact. Studies have shown that airbags can significantly reduce the risk of death or severe brain injury, not only to unsecured drivers, but to those belted in, as well. Large cars show an even greater advantage when it comes to safety.

Published on: January 18, 2012

Closed head injuries generally result from a moving head hitting a stationary object

by Stephen Bilkis

The response of the head when a head injury is sustained has a great effect on the severity of the injury, according to studies. If the head is unable to change its velocity after impact, the skull may be crushed somewhat, resulting in a deformation of the skull. Injuries like this occur when a heavy object falls on the head of someone lying on an unyielding surface, such as a concrete floor. Closed head injuries or concussions generally result from a moving head hitting a stationary object or an object moving at a different velocity. Such injuries are thought to be caused by the acceleration of the brain within the skull.

Doctors know that impact with something that will bend, like the panel of a car, will have much less impact force than impact with something like a concrete floor. The panel of the car will absorb the force and slow the acceleration of the victim at a slower rate than a harder surface would. It may be the case, however, that in some cases a low level of acceleration over a longer period of time may actually be more harmful than a high level of acceleration that lasts a very short time.

Physicians and other experts in Staten Island and Westchester can attempt to model such effects with physics, but any efforts are often in vain due to the differences between individuals. The shape of the head itself, which varies quite a bit between human beings, may well be a factor in the effect of an impact upon the skull. Each case is therefore, unique, and may be difficult to judge by the examination of another case.