Advances In Detecting and Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
In modern times, advanced tools and techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) makes detecting traumatic brain injury possible. Without this revolutionary medical equipment, we’d likely have to rely on the keen eye of a doctor to tell us if we’ve got a concussion.
“Look at me, and then look to the left.” says the doctor. “Oh yeah; you’re fine.”
Treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, is a feat that many medical professionals have likely been trying to crack since the term was created. By standard procedure, a patient suffering with a TBI (or a suspected TBI) is taken to the emergency room for an overall health evaluation. Depending on severity, they could be taken to an intensive care unit. Because brains are so complex and require such special care, reputable brain surgeons or professionals specializing in neurotrauma/multi-trauma treatment can be tucked away.
Often times, a patient required to “go under the knife” will be rushed to a specialist immediately after the ICU. If the hospital that a patient is currently in has a brain surgeon on standby, then surgery is likely to commence within the coming hours. If not, the patient will likely be transported via ambulance to the nearest partnered brain or neurotrauma surgeon for treatment. That’s because time is ticking; if you had to go through the ICU, something is definitely wrong.
There’s no time to spare
Traumatic brain injuries, unless treated properly, are unlikely to “fix” themselves. A pain of a mild concussion or contusion could wither away after the brief appliance of an icepack, but anything more severe than “mild” should be tended to professionally. If a patient is unaware of a sustained brain hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), it could quickly worsen and lead to an unexpected death or serious brain condition.
Aside from a brain hemorrhage, there are other conditions that are directly related to traumatic brain injury which make timely treatment absolutely necessary. Patients with life-threatening injuries are placed as the unquestioned priority in emergency rooms. If you casually walk in to the ER because you bumped your head and you want an x-ray, you’re probably going to be waiting for a while. However, if you’ve developed a migraine after a blow to the head, you’ll be slotted right after chest and abdominal pain patients. This is good news for those suffering from a TBI that require treatment as soon as possible.
Further advancements in the TBI toolkit
A biomedical engineer in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering by the name of Sarah Stabenfeldt has been examining, testing, and releasing results pertaining to a new form of treatment for traumatic brain injury. Her work is outstanding and the talk of many credited health resources. Her idea is straightforward, but the research behind it will take years—likely more than five.
In essence, she aims to create an advanced blood-injected formula that is packed full of advanced nanobodies that not only seek out, but assist in repairing brain damage at both a cellular and molecular level. They would attach to the damaged area of the brain and serve two main purposes: to act as a beacon in conjunction with medical imaging to help doctors pinpoint the problem area, and to deliver medicine accurately and quickly to same.
She has secured a $2.3 million grant to cover the cost of her laboratory expenses and will enable Stabenfeldt to hire eager-to-help students for the project. Alongside the medical professionals at Barrow Neurological Institute, Stabenfeldt’s work could become the cure-all for traumatic brain injuries in the future, but sadly, we’ll have to patiently wait until then.
What steps can I take to recover after a TBI?
Traumatic brain injury is a rapidly growing condition that often leads to permanent disabilities and even death. With cell phones becoming more and more advanced, and the use of such becoming more common while driving, we may find our eyes looking less at the road, and more at the screen. While cars become more advanced—some even being completely self-driving—, distractions become more plentiful.
However, motor vehicle accidents are certainly not the only place that TBI occurs. Dangerous work environments may lead to physical trauma; a pedestrian rightfully crossing the street could be hit by a careless driver. The list of possible causes is endless, but there is something that they may all have in common: negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered from any losses—be it physical, mental, emotional, financial, etc.—due to another party’s negligence, you could be eligible for significant compensation to help you get back on your feet.
There’s no better way to determine if you’re the victim of someone else’s negligence (or lack of care) than by discussing your case with an experienced personal injury attorney. Here at Dolman Law Group, we aim to answer all of your questions and assist our clients in recovering from their wrongful losses. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation by calling us at 727-451-6900.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys
