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Traumatic Brain Injury Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Traumatic brain injury is also known as TBI. It is any kind of injury to the brain. TBI may be mild or very bad. This injury disrupts the normal work of the brain. All TBIs cause swelling, bleeding, and pressure on the brain. A small amount of swelling or bleeding will cause a mild TBI. More swelling or bleeding will cause a more serious TBI. The location of the injury can help the doctors know what signs to watch for. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚  
Your care at home will depend on how much harm there is to the brain. Mild cases may need very little care. Very bad cases may result in long-term change in mental state. People with very bad cases may need a lot of care. ‚  
  • Healing may continue slowly over time. It is important to be patient.
  • Make sure family and friends know of your injury and how to help.
  • You may need rehab care to help with:
    • Basic skills like walking and dressing
    • Communication skills like talking
    • Brain skills like memory, thinking, and focusing
  • Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) until you get well.

What follow-up care is needed?


You need special care while your brain is healing. It may take a long time for you to get back to your life before the injury. Rehab care may help your brain function return. It may also speed your healing. Be sure to follow your rehab plan closely. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Lower pressure inside the brain
  • Treat or prevent seizures
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Fight an infection

If you have a hard time remembering to take your drugs, have someone remind you, or write down a plan to follow. Certain tools like an alarm clock may also help you remember. ‚  

Will physical activity be limited?


Physical activity may be limited for some time. Activities that call for thinking or remembering might also be limited. Check with your doctor about when you can return to your normal activities. Your activities may be limited as long as you have the signs of this health problem. If you have had a seizure, check your state laws about driving. When you return to work, talk to your employer about your workload. Make sure teachers know of the problem if you are in school. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Your diet at home may need to change. This will depend on how much harm there is to the brain. Some people have problems with chewing or swallowing after a TBI. Talk to your doctor about the right kind of diet for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • You may feel fine within a few hours after the head injury. You may still have brain damage even if you did not lose consciousness. It may take weeks for signs of brain damage to happen. If you get confused, are shaky or worried, go to the ER or call your doctor.
  • A brain injury may cause changes in a persons way of life. These changes may include a different level of consciousness, being unaware of surroundings, and not able to respond to things around you. Other changes may include:
    • Damage to the brain. This may lead to changes in mental, physical, and emotional behavior. These changes may last for a short time or may last forever.
    • Trouble with memory, learning, or judgment
    • Problems in communicating that could lead to frustrations, conflicts, and more injuries
    • Changes in actions and feelings that cause anger or low mood most of the time
    • Problems with hearing, smelling, or eyesight
    • Seizures
    • Higher chance for other brain diseases, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Do not drive when you are taking drugs for pain or that cause you to be sleepy. Do not drink alcohol and drive. Do not drive when you are tired.
  • Always wear a seatbelt when you drive or ride in a car.
  • Wear proper protective equipment when you play sports.
  • Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or when skiing or snowboarding or doing other similar activity.
  • Stay away from risky activities that may cause falls.
  • Wear hard hats and protective gear if you work in construction or other dangerous jobs or if you work on ladders or in high places.
  • Keep guns stored unloaded and locked inside a cabinet or safe.

When do I need to call the doctor?


Problems with your brain like: ‚  
  • More confusion, drowsiness, or any change in being aware
  • Not able to remember things
  • Very sleepy (more than expected) or hard to wake up
  • Behavior changes like angry outbursts or thoughts of hurting yourself or others
  • Headache gets worse or feels different

Problems with your eyes, ears or mouth like: ‚  
  • Trouble speaking or slurred speech
  • A change in the size of one pupil (black part of your eye) as compared to the other eye
  • Blurry eyesight, double vision, or other problems with your eyesight
  • Bleeding or clear liquid drainage from your ears or nose

Problems with how you feel like: ‚  
  • Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
  • Upset stomach and throwing up that will not go away
  • Feeling dizzy or fainting
  • Trouble walking
  • Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
  • Stiff neck
  • Not able to care for yourself at home

You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse ‚  

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes may happen because of my brain injury.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have problems remembering things.

Where can I learn more?


Center for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html ‚  
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚  
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm#Is_there_any_treatment ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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