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A month to be aware of the risks of brain injuries

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and acquired brain injury, or ABI, are the leading causes of injury-related death and disability in the United States, accounting for 155 deaths every day, on average, according to national health statistics.

With that in mind, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaiming March to be Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Falls are the leading cause of TBI in the United States at 40% and account for more than half of all TBIs in children from birth to age 14. Falls cause 81% of TBIs among those 65 and older. Other leading and preventable causes of TBI include being struck by an object or person, motor vehicle crashes and substance abuse.

Observable signs of traumatic brain injury may include appearing dazed or stunned; forgetting an instruction; moving clumsily; answering questions slowly; losing consciousness; showing mood, behavior or personality changes; and being unable to recall events prior to and/or after a hit or fall.

Prevention strategies that can reduce the risk of TBI and death include: removing hazards in and around the home, using protective gear while playing sports, taking caution in bad weather, and driving unimpaired and without distractions.

“Making sure your home is safe, your health care provider is aware of all of your medications, and having routine physicals are ways you can work to prevent falls that may lead to TBI,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Prevention strategies, such as removing hazards in and around the home such as rugs and clutter in walkways, keeping sports safe by wearing protective gear including helmets, and always wearing a seatbelt while in a vehicle can also help reduce the risk.”

For more information, go to the Traumatic Brain Injury section at the Centers for Disease Control website, https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.

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