What’s the Difference? Is One More Serious Than the Other?
When we hear about head trauma and brain injury, we typically hear only about traumatic brain injury, or TBI. However, another common type of brain injury can be just as serious—it’s known as acquired brain injury, or ABI.
What’s the Difference?
Technically, a traumatic brain injury is one caused by trauma to the brain from an external source, either a blunt-force blow to the head or a jostling of the brain that occurs when the head snaps violently back and forth. An acquired brain injury, on the other hand, results from changes in the cell structure in the brain as a result of physiological changes or events in the body. For example, you may have a tumor that puts pressure on some area of your brain, or you may suffer a stroke that causes structural changes in your brain.
Is One More Serious Than the Other?
Both traumatic brain injury and acquired brain injury have the potential to be life-changing. However, because a TBI is caused by an external event, it often is more treatable. With traumatic brain injury, the concerns are usually inflammation, cell damage, bruising, or bleeding. The brain can heal damaged or bruised cells, and there are ways to reduce swelling. However, the cellular changes that cause acquired brain injury may not be so easy to treat.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). 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.