| There are two main ways brain injury can occur, | | | | society. |
| insidious onset (tumors, neurological diseases, and | | | | It is published that 1.5 to 2 million Americans suffer a |
| substance and alcohol abuse) or outside onset | | | | brain injury each year, mainly due to falls, acts of |
| (infection, lack of oxygen, trauma, and strokes). | | | | violence, sports injuries, and, most frequently, motor |
| Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is brain damage suffered | | | | vehicles accidents. The even more disturbing news is |
| after birth. | | | | that 2.5 to 6.5 million Americans are living with ABI. |
| The main causes of ABI include disease (AIDS, | | | | The good news is that thanks to evolutions in |
| Alzheimer, cancer, Parkinson or sclerosis), alcohol or | | | | medical care, more people are surviving brain injury |
| drugs, prolonged lack of oxygen, physical trauma | | | | every year. |
| (such as those suffered in car accidents or fighting | | | | Acquired brain injury is a serious matter. ABI can |
| sports) and strokes (the breaking of a blood vessel | | | | result in an incredible life change for the suffering |
| causing brain tissue destruction). | | | | party, family disruption, loss of income or earning |
| Acquired brain injury affects patients in numerous | | | | potential, and expenses resulting from the victim's |
| ways. Many patients experience mental and physical | | | | lifelong need for support. There are several |
| fatigue, visual dysfunction and slowed mental | | | | institutions that offer care for ABI patients, and |
| processes such as problem solving or planning. | | | | doctors can diagnose and treat many ABIs, so it is |
| Personality and behavior modifications can also | | | | vital that people suffering a head injury get medical |
| appear, with some people even becoming a threat to | | | | attention to prevent or cure symptoms. |