The Importance of Adequate Care for Those With Brain Injuries

For those who have had a brain injury, life becomes a challenge. It is imperative for those who have suffered a brain injury to receive adequate care because sustaining such an injury will increase the challenges they will face throughout their lifetime. A brain injury can lead to the development of neurodegenerative and neuroendocrine disorders. And because of the limitations they will face day-to-day, psychological treatment will likely be an advantage, if not necessary also. In the case of a broken leg, you know it will repair itself in about six to eight weeks but there is no predictable end in sight for those who have suffered from brain injuries.

Doctors and therapists can encourage the brain's plasticity with proper therapy which will encourage the growth of new brain cells. Only stimuli that encourages adaptive functions should be used, therefore a structured rehabilitation environment is important. As patients improve so too will the intensity of the therapy increase. One example of learning correct adaptive behaviors is a patient learning to walk again but who may occasionally lose his balance. It will be necessary for them to learn appropriate reflex actions so as not to hurt themselves when their balance is precarious. For these reasons, specialized rehabilitation settings usually lead to better results.

Many brain injury survivors unfortunately, don't receive adequate care following their injury either because it is not available in their area, they are unable to afford the care or do not have medical coverage, they adamantly refuse further specialized therapy, or they have not been diagnosed as requiring specialized therapies. This is particularly true of the thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. For them, in some cases it is because Veterans Affairs officials have not determined their diagnosis. However, even following diagnosis, there has been little follow-up for reasons such as computer glitches, insufficient staffing and disorganization.

In many cases, brain injury sufferers not receiving adequate and appropriate care will endure a lifetime of frustration and challenges, not only for themselves but for their families as well. It could also mean a high cost in human life when violence is a result of brain injury, as well as a heavy financial burden to not only the family but to the community as well. Continuing depression and the possibility of suicide are also results of inadequate follow-up care for those with brain injuries.

Lack of adequate medical care and rehabilitation can also possibly lead to higher levels of medical complications, permanent disability, family dysfunction, job loss, homelessness, impoverishment, involvement with crime, drug and alcohol abuse, psychiatric disorders and lost productivity. It can also minimize social interaction within the community.

For those whose family members have sustained a brain injury, fighting to obtain adequate follow-up care for your loved one will ensure a better quality of life for them and for yourself.