Every 15 seconds, one person in the United States suffers a brain injury

Head trauma — technically referred to as traumatic brain injury (TBI) — is surprisingly common. In fact, TBI is more prevalent than breast cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury combined. It is difficult to diagnose because the effects of TBI are often hidden.

There are several different types of TBI. Concussion is the most common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga. Of the roughly 1.4 million Americans who suffer TBI each year, CDC studies show that an estimated 75 percent are concussions or other mild forms of TBI.

Concussions are caused by a force that impacts the brain such as direct blows or trauma to the head. These can occur in football and other contact sports, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults. Even indirect force such as rapid changes in speed or direction (a sudden stop during a car accident or a blast injury from an explosive) can cause a concussion.

If you’ve suffered a concussion in the past, you’re at increased risk. Immediate symptoms — some of which are consistent with general TBI symptoms — include being dazed or confused, amnesia (you can’t remember the event), loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, headache, loss of balance, poor concentration, slowed reaction time, and ringing in the ears.
 
If these symptoms worsen or last more than two hours—or if you have any nausea or vomiting, change in mental status, weakness on one side, or vision disturbance — seek help. A physician will take you through a complete history and physical and neurological exam. And a CAT scan may be ordered. It will be important to follow-up with your doctor as even minor TBI can lead to cognitive problems in the future.

Here are the three most common myths about TBI. 

Myth 1: Being hit in the head is the No. 1 cause of TBI.
The No. 1 cause is falls, which is why the elderly are at high risk. Other causes include motor vehicle traffic crashes, being struck by or against something, and assaults. For active-duty military personnel in war zones, blasts are the most common cause.

Myth 2: You must lose consciousness to suffer TBI.
Although some people do lose consciousness, TBI doesn’t always involve loss of consciousness.

Myth 3: If you look fine, you don’t need medical help.
Because the symptoms of TBI are often hidden, you can’t go by appearances. If there was a loss consciousness or there is repeated nausea and vomiting associated with a head injury, seek care immediately. Other signs medical attention is needed include worsening headaches, weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, confusion, agitation, and convulsions.