Brain Injury is Not Always Permanent

Brain injury, brain cancer, infections or a stroke are among the causes of brain injury. Although the brain takes measures to protect itself in the best way it can, after a trauma to the brain there may be a loss of some function until the swelling goes down. If the damage that occurs is more drastic, and even after the swelling goes down there may be permanent damage as the brain tries to compensate by communicating around the damaged area and forming new connections that are often able to pick up the same functions as the damaged areas.

It is frightening to think that you may not be able to remember the people you love, or events that happened just a few minutes ago. Our memories are an important part of our being, and when we lose that function we are like a fish out of water.

Our brain is fragile, and susceptible to all types of onslaughts. Sometimes brain injury leaves the memory intact, but functions to our limbs, speech or other functions may be hampered. Since the brain is central to our body and its functions, every attack by an outside force can be damaging.

Does a brain injury have to cause permanent damage? That may depend on the severity of the damage, where the damage is located, and especially the patient’s attitude during recovery. Attitude is everything!

Concussions or other mild brain injuries occur because the brain is bounced around in the skull - just like what happens with shaken baby syndrome. This could cause tears and bleeding inside the brain, and although does not usually result in permanent damage or disabilities, it can. Sometimes visible damage may not show itself for many years, like what is coming out in the news from the lawsuits by dozens of NFL players.

Extensive damage can be the result of more severe brain injuries, and more than one area of the brain may be involved. Surgery may be required to relieve pressure building up from blood, or swelling in the brain. Severe brain injury may result in irreversible damage.
Therapy and brain rehabilitation are often effective to help many people get back their lost functions, although the process may be slow and painful. If neurons are damaged or lost, they will not be able to grow back, but could be rerouted.

Brain plasticity – the ability for the brain to make new connections, is being heavily researched and tried on patients, with a good amount of success. The brain’s neuro-connection routes may be redirected as the brain tries to heal itself and reverse the effects from the damage. It could be possible that other areas of the brain that were not damaged from the trauma can take over the tasks of the damaged areas, and the patient can relea
by using these new connections.

People like Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford can surprise their doctors all the time with their ability to recover from brain damage. Gifford was shot in the head at a political rally in 2010, and has made exceptional strides in her recovery, despite a bleak outlook at the beginning. Her recovery was due in a large part to her support system and her inbo
ability to look on the bright side of life. Recovery is accomplished as much through the determination and mental strength of the patient as much as through medical breakthroughs. Miracles can happen every day, and not all brain damage is necessarily permanent.