Acquired brain injury (ABI) is an umbrella term used to describe injuries caused to the brain sometime after birth.

There are many causes of such injuries including:

  • road traffic collisions
  • falls
  • assaults.

Injuries can also be the result of non-traumatic events such as:

  • a haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
  • an infection
  • hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain)
  • a tumour.

How common are ABIs? 

There are approximately 100-150 people per 100,000 of the population with an ABI. Young adults and those over 65 are most at risk with males 2-3 times more at risk than females. 

How does the injury occur?

Injury to the brain occurs when there is a direct blow to the head or when the brain comes into direct contact with the skull.  The brain is not fixed firmly in the skull; therefore it is vulnerable to injury.

Primary Damage

A direct impact to the skull

Open injury

Penetration through the skull into the brain

Closed injury

Collision between the brain and the inside of the skull

Secondary damage

Further damage to the brain caused by other injuries, swelling or infection.

What are the effects of ABI?

The frontal lobe is the most common site of injury due to its vulnerable position. Blows to the back of the head force the frontal lobe against the skull causing injury (contra coup). ABIs can result in physical, cognitive and behavioural effects, depending on the sight of the injury. All of which can have long lasting effects on the person’s life.

Physical

Patients can experience increased muscle tone, muscle shortening, visual and balance impairments and changes in taste, smell and speech

Cognitive

Memory, attention, problem solving, concentration and language use can be affected

Behavioural

Changes in anxiety, anger, mood and personality are common.

How severe is my injury?

Mild/Minor

This group accounts for 75-80% of all ABIs. The effects of a mild head injury can include: nausea, headaches, dizziness, poor concentration and fatigue. Such effects can then lead to anxiety and depression. If these symptoms last this is often termed post-concussion syndrome. Whilst the effects can be anything but minor they are usually short-lived.

Moderate

Defined as a loss of consciousness for between 15 minutes to 6 hours, headaches, poor concentration, difficulties with memory, thinking, organising as well as behavioural problems are common.

Severe

People with severe injuries are likely to be hospitalised and receive extensive rehabilitation.

Will I ever get back to normal?

ABI is a lifelong condition and every case is individual. Some clients recover quicker than others. Those with a mild head injury usually return to leading their pre-injury life, while those with moderate and severe injuries learn to live with their brain injury, with some requiring on-going rehabilitation to aid them in living the life they choose. 

Ultimately, with the aid of family, friends and with input from a range of healthcare professionals many clients lead an active and full life.

What is involved in rehabilitation?

Due to the complexity of ABI and the effects it can have both on the individual and their families, a team approach is taken to ensure all the client’s needs are met. The team comprises of a number of different professionals who will work in conjunction with the individual to set goals.

Goals include all aspects of an individuals’ life and enables the person to identify the activities and level of functioning they wish to work towards with the team. It can also include working towards rebuilding relationships following their ABI.

Who is in the team and how can they help?

Case Manager

Support clients and their families and help resolve issues such as funding and housing. A Case Manager is usually the first point of contact.

Physiotherapist

Aims to address any physical deficits resulting from ABI.

Occupational Therapist

Works on cognitive and physical issues, aiding clients to be able to carry out the daily activities they wish to do.

Speech and Language Therapist

Involved in aiding clients with communication or swallowing difficulties.

Psychologists

Aims to address behavioural, emotional and cognitive difficulties.

Assistant Practitioners/Rehabilitation Assistants

Work alongside clients and clinicians to help achieve goals.

Where can I get more information?

Useful Websites
Useful Books
  • Confronting traumatic brain injury: devastation, hope and healing by W. Winslade and J. Brady
  • Brain injury survival kit by C. Sullivan
  • Head Injury: a practical guide by T. Powell

Contact Us

Acquired Brain Injury Service,
Bridge Mills,
Stramongate,
Kendal
LA9 4UB

Call 01539 718118

Acquired Brain Injury Service,
The Coppice,
Carleton Clinic,
Carlisle
CA1 3SX

Call 01228 602155

Confidentiality

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For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302