Causes of Brain Injury

Stroke

A stroke is an interruption of blood supply to part of the brain. If arteries become blocked, bleed or break, then the brain tissue is damaged, causing brain injury.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by either a blow to the head or by the head being forced to move rapidly forwards or backwards.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Dementia and brain injury

Dementia is a category of brain diseases that result in memory loss and deterioration of speech, motor skills and cognitive functioning as it progresses.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injury (lack of oxygen)

Brain injury can occur when there is a reduction in (hypoxic) or complete lack of (anoxic) oxygen supply to the brain.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Alcohol & Drug Related Brain Injury

Alcohol is a poison, or neurotoxin, that can cause injury to the brain. This is known as Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). Other drugs - which fall into the category of stimulants, depressants or hallucinogens - can also lead to impairments.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Brain tumours and brain cancer

Brain tumours can affect brain function in a number of ways and to varying degrees, depending on where they grow and how severe they are.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to a range of impairments that can develop in an individual due to exposure to alcohol in the womb.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Degenerative Conditions

There are a number of degenerative conditions that lead to brain injury. Dementia is a category of brain diseases that result in memory loss and deterioration of speech, motor skills and cognitive functioning as it progresses.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Infections and Diseases

Infections that cause swelling in the brain or the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meninges) can result in acquired brain injury (ABI).

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Causes of Brain Injury

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Repeated, mild ABIs, such as concussions experienced by professional sports people like boxers and footballers, can be related to a neurodegenerative condition known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

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Causes of Brain Injury

Age-related Brain Injury

Ageing is a risk factor for acquiring a brain injury, particularly over the age of 65. As we get older, our chance of developing dementia rises. So too does the likelihood of falls that result in brain injury. We might not be able to stop either from happening, but there are ways to reduce the risk and manage symptoms.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Concussion / Mild TBI

Concussion is the most common form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), affecting around 42 million people worldwide each year. It is the result of a physical blow or sudden jolt that forces the brain to move within the skull.

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Causes of Brain Injury

Assault

Physical assault is a major cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), with young men between the ages of 20 and 24 being the most vulnerable.

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