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Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment in New York

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment in New York

Elevate your recovery process by calling 347-602-9530 to schedule compassionate TBI treatment. 

If your loved one has a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, it can be a long road to recovery. Brain injuries vary greatly depending on the cause, and no two treatment plans are exactly alike. When you search “TBI neurologist near me,” you will discover that Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. provides comprehensive treatment for patients with traumatic brain injuries in all five New York boroughs as well as on Long Island. 

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force causes delicate brain matter to hit the inside of the skull, causing bruising and swelling. For example, they can occur if someone sustains gunshot wounds, causing direct damage to the brain or head trauma from falling after getting shot. 

A medical team will evaluate each patient to determine the severity of the injury. Traumatic brain injuries are one of two types:

  • Penetrating TBI. Any time something pierces the skull and enters the brain, it causes a penetrating brain injury.
  • Closed TBI. TBI from a car accident, fall, or sports accident can cause mild to severe damage to the brain without penetrating through the skull. Because closed brain injuries are harder to diagnose, seeing a neurologist after a car accident or other event is the best way to ensure no brain injury occurred. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are about 190 TBI-related deaths every day. Even if you feel fine after an accident, don’t refuse a medical evaluation. Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a traumatic event.

Testing for a Suspected Brain Injury

Physicians measure each component on a 15-point scale called the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the severity of the injury. The examination assesses the central nervous system, including brain and eye function. It also assesses the peripheral nervous system, which includes areas other than the brain and spine.

During the evaluation, medical professionals check the level of verbal, ocular, and motor responses to different stimuli. The check if the patient is:

  • Awake: They respond to the physician’s voice or physical touch. If a person is in a coma, they will not respond to either.
  • Alert: They can respond to verbal questions and understand what is happening in the moment.
  • Oriented: They answer simple questions correctly, like the date, their name, and where they are.

Using Imaging To Detect Brain Injury

In the event of a suspected brain injury, a computed tomography (CT) scan can identify brain hemorrhaging, bruising, and skull fractures. However, not all brain injuries show up on a CT scan.

Diffuse axonal injury occurs when the brain shifts upon impact, causing nerve fibers to tear. These tears are catastrophic to the patient but are too small to appear on CT or MRI scans. Though they are difficult to diagnose, diffuse axonal injury makes up about half of the TBI cases every year, according to Newsome | Melton.

Lasting Results of Traumatic Brain Injury

Patients with mild brain injuries could see a full recovery in a matter of months with prompt treatment. More severe injuries could cause lasting disabilities that require long-term rehabilitation services. 

Lasting results of traumatic brain injury range from common problems like fatigue and headaches to more serious issues that impact quality of life, such as:

  • Communication difficulties: Patients can suffer from aphasia, which is the inability to speak or understand verbal communication. They may have to relearn simple tasks like brushing their teeth or getting dressed. In some cases, they may have to relearn how to read or write. 
  • Cognitive decline: This could include a variety of problems like memory loss, time blindness, and the inability to work independently. Patients with brain injuries could have poor judgment, chronic confusion, and a short attention span.
  • Loss of motor skills: TBI patients often experience muscle spasticity, tremors, and loss of balance. Physical therapy may help some patients reduce tremors and strengthen lost motor skills. 
  • Epilepsy: In cases of severe TBI, patients could suffer from seizures. They most commonly occur within the first year of recovery but can continue for many years, depending on the patient.

Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Treating a traumatic brain injury begins the moment the patient enters the hospital. Treating acute injuries and getting the patient stable is the first priority. Once the patient is stable, a TBI neurologist can work with the patient and their family to decide on short- and long-term goals.

Treatment depends on the type of TBI, the level of disability resulting from the injury, and the support system available to the patient. 

While every patient recovers at their own pace, a 2014 study from Johns Hopkins found that patients with higher education have a better cognitive reserve, allowing them to recover faster after a traumatic brain injury.

TBI recovery could include help with skills such as:

  • Socialization: Relearning how to interact with family and friends in socially acceptable ways.
  • Independent living: Everyday activities like feeding themselves, grooming, and getting dressed to regain independence. 
  • Mobility: Relearning to walk or how to transfer in and out of a wheelchair or other assistive device.

TBI Therapy With Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C.

It’s imperative that you seek medical attention in order to recover from a traumatic brain injury. We can help identify symptoms of a brain injury after a car accident or any other type of traumatic event. Fill out our online form or call 347-602-9530 to schedule an appointment in all five NYC boroughs and on Long Island.

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

The Importance of Early Intervention in Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries

Don’t delay treating traumatic brain injuries. Contact Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. to see an experienced neurologist. 

A head injury might not seem severe at first, but failing to treat traumatic brain injuries quickly can lead to cognitive decline in patients and reduce their quality of life. Cleveland Clinic reports that 69,000 Americans die each year because of these injuries, which is why it’s crucial to see a top neurologist in NYC for early treatment. Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. has a wide network of doctors who see patients for both acute and long-term TBI symptoms. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Can Worsen

Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Can Worsen

If you bump your head after an accidental fall or while playing a sport, the initial pain could subside quickly and leave you to think nothing of it. However, you could have a mild TBI and not know it. Symptoms can take a few days to develop and may worsen over time. 

What starts out as a headache and some dizziness could spiral into more severe symptoms, such as weakness in the limbs or loss of consciousness. Failing to seek medical treatment immediately after the injury and ignoring symptoms could cause you to lose brain tissue as the organ swells. This could lead to several life-threatening conditions, including:

  • Brain hemorrhage due to a burst blood vessel
  • Permanent brain damage and disability
  • Seizures

Athletes, in particular, are prone to mild traumatic brain injuries and risk long-term health problems if they don’t allow the brain to heal properly. According to the University of Michigan Health, sports cause roughly 3.8 million concussions every year. Concussed athletes should avoid getting back on the playing field until their symptoms subside and they receive medical clearance to prevent further injuring their brains. 

Patients Can Prevent Emotional Distress

Consulting one of the doctors in our directory after a head injury can not only help your physical symptoms but your emotional well-being, too. Untreated moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can cause psychological conditions like:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

Many of the symptoms of head injuries and PTSD overlap, which is why it’s essential to have a TBI neurologist examine you. Physicians can prescribe the appropriate treatment as long as they correctly diagnose the issue.

For example, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that up to 80% of service members who become injured during combat may have a traumatic brain injury. Many veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder but a neurologist can determine if a lingering TBI is also affecting their brains. 

Certain Demographics Face a Harder Recovery

Early intervention and treatment of head injuries can significantly reduce the recovery time, especially if you’re in a vulnerable demographic. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that patients with the genetic variant ApoE4 not only have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but they tend to face worse outcomes following a TBI. 

In addition, a patient’s age can influence their symptoms and healing. Research published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke finds that younger patients exhibit more behavioral changes, while patients over the age of 50 with traumatic brain injuries tend to experience cognitive changes. Symptoms may be long-lasting in older patients while younger demographics heal faster. 

Begin Your Healing Journey with Trusted Neurologists

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury requires a dedicated medical team who can monitor your progress and promote healing. Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. can help you locate knowledgeable doctors in the New York metropolitan area to treat any neurological symptoms you’re experiencing. 

Doctors listed in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call (347) 602-9530 to schedule an appointment. 

FAQ

While everyone is different, many TBI patients do eventually see a full recovery with dedicated therapies.

Avoid contact sports like football, amusement park rides, and anything else that could cause a concussion or head trauma after a TBI.

If parts of the brain atrophy, the damaged tissue can appear on an MRI long after the injury occurred.

To find a neurologist, ask loved ones for recommendations or have your primary care doctor refer you. Looking for doctors online can also help you find a neurologist who specializes in treating traumatic brain injuries.

No, you can make a full recovery from mild TBIs, whereas severe traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term disability. 

Untreated TBIs can lead to further injury, which may cause permanent brain damage. In severe cases, failing to treat this injury can turn fatal. 

Receiving timely traumatic brain injury treatment proves critical, so reach out to Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. today to consult with an expert.