Traumatic Brain Injury: July 2007 Archives

Sgt. Frank Sandoval Buried in Arizona

Even after being seriously injured in a roadside bomb in Iraq, Sgt. Frank Michael Sandoval often said that he hoped to return to Iraq to help his fellow soldiers. Ricky Sandoval, Frank's father, said that Frank "always wanted to get better and go back. I think that says so much about his courage." Sandoval passed away last week when he failed to awaken from brain surgery at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs hospital.

Sgt. Frank Sandoval Laid to Rest in Arizona

Sandoval helped bring traumatic brain injury to the public eye. He allowed a Mercury news reporter and photographer follow his recovery. The series got an overwhelmingly positive response from readers. Sandoval was buried on Thursday. He suffered his brain injury in Northern Iraq on November 28, 2005.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Preventing Falls is Important for Seniors

Falls are the leading cause of injury in those over the age of 65. More than one-third of American senior citizens suffer from falls each year. While falls often are dismissed as something that just happens to older people, "that's a fallacy," says Kevin Condra, the Violence and Injury Prevention Program spokesman in Utah. "It shouldn't happen."

Preventing Falls is Vital for Seniors

Injuries from falls can be of a wide range. They can be as simple as a strained finger or wrist or can be as severe as a broken hip, shoulder, or knee. William McNutt, the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital director, explains that older people are prone to more severe falls. "People's defense reactions as they get older are slowed down," said McNutt. "When you're younger and you fall, you might be able to twist or land or catch yourself. The elderly are halfway to the ground before they know they're falling." Head injuries suffered by old people who fall are often severe and life-altering. A person who falls and hits his or her brain can suffer severe consequences and may lose many skills.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What to Look for in a Rehab Provider

Many services are essential for a "complete" rehabilitation treatment. People who are injured often need physical therapy, which includes skills such as walking and moving a wheelchair. However, patients need to understand that there is more to their rehabilitation experience. When selecting a rehabilitation center, be sure that the enter recognizes that rehabilitation must occur on both the psychological level and well as the physical level in order to be truly successful.

What to Look for in a Rehab Provider

New and modern equipment also should be a deciding factor in choosing a rehab center. Additionally, convenience is important in choosing a center; a center that is far away from home will make commuting more of a problem. The normal treatment in a rehabilitation center is about one to three times a week for two or three months. Often, however, treatment can last for six months for severe injuries such as a stroke or a brain injury.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Don't Become a TBI Statistic

Approximately 50,000 people die from traumatic brain injury and 90,000 are left with long-term disability each year as a result of traumatic brain injury. Such a sobering statistic provides a reminder of the importance of wearing appropriate head gear when participating in activities that have the potential to result in head injury. By definition, a traumatic brain injury is one in which the head suddenly hits something or is hit or an object penetrates into the brain. Some brain injuries can be mild, as are many concussions, or they can be severe and lead to permanent changes in cognitive function.

Don't Become a Traumatic Brain Injury Statistic

Brain injuries can be of a variety of types and can lead to a variety of symptoms. Brain injuries generally can be divided into three types: physical, cognitive, and behavioral. Physical changes include problems with vision or speech. Cognitive brain injuries include short term and long term memory problems. Behavioral brain injuries often lead to mood swings, depression, and anxiety.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Family of Brain Damaged Man Reach Agreement

The family of a man who is seriously injured has finally reached an agreement to move the man to a rehabilitation center after meeting with a judge. Jesse Ramirez is being supported by lifesaving tubes. His wife wanted to have the life-support tubes removed days after Ramirez was involved in a car accident that left him with a serious head injury. However, Ramirez's parents and siblings disagreed and asked the courts to intervene.

Family of Brain Damaged Man Reach Agreement

Friends and Ramirez's court appointed guardian say that Ramirez is able to shake his head and answer yes or no questions. All future contact between Ramirez's family and his wife will occur through lawyers.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 06, 2007

Sgt. Frank Sandoval Buried in Arizona

July 05, 2007

Preventing Falls is Important for Seniors

July 04, 2007

What to Look for in a Rehab Provider

July 03, 2007

Don't Become a TBI Statistic

July 02, 2007

Family of Brain Damaged Man Reach Agreement