How Can You Minimize the Risk of a TBI?
It can take a number of different forms—you might suffer a traumatic brain injury as the result of a bump or blow to the head in a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall or an athletic event. You can also experience a TBI as a consequence of whiplash, where your brain bounces off the inside of your skull. Who is most at risk of a traumatic brain injury? What factors make you susceptible to a TBI? What can you do to minimize the risk of such an injury?
The Risk Factors Typically Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury
Here are the groups that tend to have a greater likelihood of suffering a TBI:
- Males (any age)—As a general rule, men tend to be greater risk takers, and tend to participate in activities more likely to lead to traumatic brain injury, including contact sports. Men also tend to work more often in jobs and environments where the risk of head trauma is greater, such as construction, manufacturing and industrial facilities. For these reasons, they are nearly twice as susceptible to TBI than women.
- Persons over the age of 60—As people age, they become less active, leading to loss of muscle tone and strength, particularly in the legs and core. This can cause balance issues and make ascending or descending steps and stairs more precarious.
- Children under the age of four—Most small children don’t have a sense of their vulnerability. Furthermore, they haven’t yet learned the dangers associated with falls from heights or falling objects. They can often fearlessly put themselves in situations where they can suffer serious head trauma.
- Young adults—Though the rates are higher for young males, all individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 have a greater risk of head injury, typically because they are inexperienced drivers or engage in certain thrill-seeking behaviors.
Minimizing the Risks of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Though you can never completely prevent a TBI, there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of such an injury:
- With small children, minimize the opportunities for them to climb to any significant height
- With older adults, encourage exercises, such as walking, that help them retain muscle tone and strength
- When traveling by motor vehicle, always buckle up, so that you minimize the likelihood of being thrown from the vehicle or careening into the windshield
- Understand the risks of contact sports—Choose touch football over full-contact, even if you have the right equipment
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience helping injured federal workers recover medical benefits through a work comp claim. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.