Brain trauma is an injury to the brain that causes brain damage. Brain trauma can disrupt virtually any function. The brain acts as the central processing unit of the body, and injuries can disrupt motor and cognitive function, cause sleepiness, diminish concentration and memory, affect mood, harm sexual function, cause paralysis and even death. Few medications other than progesterone have been found to reduce the effects of brain trauma once it has occurred. However, there are therapies available for brain recovery after the brain trauma.
Progesterone
Progesterone has been used in clinical trials to treat brain traumas. This naturally-occurring hormone is injected into the brain and has been found to reduce incidences of paralysis and damage to cognitive functions. Progesterone works by reducing the inflammation in a brain that has been injured. This hormone must be injected into the brain within six hours of injury. Progesterone is also helpful during a stroke.
Acute care
Acute conditions are conditions in which the brain risks death or severe damage. Treatment after brain trauma focuses on preventing further damage by assisting circulation and respiration. Emergency surgery can be performed to remove blood clots in the brain. Fluid buildup must sometimes be drained using a shunt. Antiseizure medications are used to prevent seizures that can cause additional damage to the brain after the brain trauma.
Subacute care
At subacute levels, patients are stabilized, but must be watched for potential problems such as brain infections and fluid accumulation in the brain. At this point, recovery-based therapy begins in order to help rehabilitate the patient. However, most of the recovery-based therapy begins once the patient has been moved to a chronic care unit.
Chronic care
In the chronic care unit, physical therapy, surgery and medical treatment for pain, seizures and depression are used. When patients are released, therapy often occurs throughout the patient's daily life until full recovery is achieved.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Physical therapy involves exercises that develop normal physical abilities, while occupational therapy involves exercises that help patients regain skills necessary for daily life such as getting dressed and driving a car. Strength training exercises are used to regain muscles lost through atrophy and also regain lost motor skills. Physical therapists also help patients practice basic skills by guiding their arms and legs. Two of the most common exercises involve climbing up the stairs repeatedly to regain balance and having the patient lie on the floor on her stomach, lifting her arms and legs up off the floor.
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