This article will discuss the causes and symptoms of hypothalamus damage and some of the most effective management techniques. Use the links below to jump straight to any section.

• Hypothalamus function
• Causes of hypothalamus damage
• Symptoms of hypothalamus injury
• Health conditions affected by hypothalamus damage
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

What Is the Function of the Hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus is a structure located in the center of the brain that serves as  the primary link between the central nervous system and the endocrine system.  It has a few main functions including:

• Making hormones, including vasopressin and oxytocin
• Releasing hormones that communicate with the pituitary gland
• Regulating basic functions (body temperature, hunger/thirst, sleep/wake cycles, other autonomic life-sustaining functions)

These functions are vital to maintaining homeostasis, or the body’s internal state of balance. By sending messages to the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus is able to increase or decrease the release of certain hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to help the body function properly.

The specific functions controlled and regulated by the hypothalamus include: 

• Body temperature
• Blood pressure
• Respiration
• Digestive secretions
• Appetite
• Hydration
• Weight
• Breast milk production
• Salt and water balance
• Circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle)
• Growth
• Childbirth
• Sex drive
• Emotions and behavior
• Memory

The body sends signals to the hypothalamus alerting it when there is an imbalance in any one of these functions. In response, the hypothalamus  releases hormones to balance the body.

What Hormones Does the Hypothalamus Produce?

While the hypothalamus drives the production and release of hormones, it most often  secretes releasing or inhibitory hormones. These travel directly below the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland to increase or decrease related hormone secretions.

While there are many important hormones released by the hypothalamus, three examples include:

• Corticotropin-releasing hormone: stimulates the production of cortisol, a critical stress hormone
• Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland, an essential part of metabolism, growth, and development of the body
• Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone): helps the kidneys absorb water and regulate water levels throughout the body to help with blood pressure regulation

Damage to the hypothalamus can interfere with many biological processes, including homeostasis. Without the proper exchange of hormones, many organs cannot function properly. Therefore, it’s important to identify the cause of hypothalamus damage to receive the appropriate treatment.

Causes of Hypothalamus Damage

The hypothalamus—especially its anterior (front) region—is particularly vulnerable to injury during traumatic events. Research shows that approximately 27–32% of traumatic brain injuries lead to pituitary gland dysfunction, and about 49% of individuals who experience an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage also face pituitary disruptions. Given the close connection between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, it’s likely that hypothalamic damage occurs in many of these cases as well.

Other medical conditions that may also cause hypothalamus damage, include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Surgery
• Tumor
• Brain swelling 
• Radiation treatment or chemotherapy
• Eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia
• Tuberculosis
• Aneurysm
• Pituitary apoplexy
• Inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and neurosarcoidosis
• Infection due to immune system disorders

Hypothalamus damage may also occur due to genetic disorders such as the Prader-Willi syndrome, the Kallmann syndrome, or birth defects. Although the causes of hypothalamus damage may vary, the symptoms are usually the same.

Symptoms of Hypothalamus Injury

When hypothalamus damage is caused by a traumatic event, it can often be overlooked during brain injury treatment because the symptoms are similar to other types of brain injuries or medical conditions. However, many individuals experience neuroendocrine disruptions after brain injury. Therefore, it’s important to understand the signs of a hypothalamus injury to help you differentiate between the symptoms and seek the proper medical care.

Common symptoms of hypothalamus damage include:

• Fatigue and/or insomnia
• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Frequent thirst and/or dehydration
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Changes in appetite or poor appetite
• High or low blood pressure
• Frequent urination
• Loss of vision
• Infertility

Symptoms of hypothalamus damage may evolve over time. Be sure to follow-up with your doctor if you notice any new or recurring symptoms after a brain injury to obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Health Conditions Affected by Hypothalamus Damage

The hypothalamus is versatile meaning it plays a role in many different functions of the body. For this reason, when the hypothalamus sustains damage, it can result in various health conditions or complications.

Some of the most common health conditions caused by hypothalamus damage include:

• Adrenal Insufficiency: occurs when the hypothalamus cannot instruct the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) to release cortisol into the bloodstream. This can cause weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, vomiting, and dehydration.
• Hypothyroidism: occurs when the hypothalamus is unable to produce thyroid releasing hormone, resulting in an underactive thyroid. This can cause concentration and memory problems, unexplained weight gain, cold sensitivity, extreme fatigue, depression, constipation, infertility and/or irregular periods.
• Diabetes Insipidus: occurs when the hypothalamus does not produce enough antidiuretic hormone and the body is unable to retain enough water. Unlike other forms of diabetes after brain injury, diabetes insipidus does not affect the body’s ability to use glucose. Rather it causes symptoms such as extreme thirst, dehydration, excessive urination, dry skin, and muscle weakness.
• Growth Hormone Deficiency: occurs when the hypothalamus is unable to stimulate the production and release of sufficient amounts of growth hormone necessary for development. This can result in slow growth, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and high cholesterol levels.
• Hypothalamic Obesity: occurs when the balance between energy intake and expenditure is disrupted by hypothalamus damage. This can lead to fast weight gain, uncontrollable appetite, low metabolism, sleep apnea, and mood disorders.

Hypothalamus damage can also lead to extreme fluctuations in body temperature. The hypothalamus plays a critical role in stabilizing the body’s core temperature. For example, when the body’s temperature is above 98.6° F, the hypothalamus signals the sweat glands to help the body cool down. Other cooling responses by the hypothalamus include increasing water retention and dilating blood vessels. 

However, when the hypothalamus becomes injured, it can no longer accurately control your temperature. Therefore, you may experience frequent hot or cold flashes. A prolonged increase in core body temperature can lead to further brain damage. That’s why it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

How Is a Hypothalamus Injury Diagnosed?

Treatment for hypothalamus damage may vary depending on the diagnosis. To obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, your medical team will perform a combination of different lab tests.

Hypothalamic dysfunction after brain injury may be measured by heart rate variability (HRV). To perform this exam, your doctor will give you a Holter monitor that records heart function over the course of 24 hours. Electrodes are placed on your chest to allow you to continue with your daily activities during this period.

The HRV measures how much your heart rate fluctuates. Changes indicate that the endocrine system is functioning well and keeping the body regulated. If there are very few or no changes it can indicate hypothalamus dysfunction. When the heart rate is either consistently high or low, it’s because there is limited communication between the body’s sympathetic and parasympathetic responses, which are autonomic functions controlled by the hypothalamus.

Other exams used to diagnose hypothalamus damage may include:

• MRI or CT scans
• Eyeball pressure tests (particularly if there is a tumor)
• Blood or saliva tests used to assess cortisol, estrogen, thyroid, and other hormone levels

With a proper diagnosis of hypothalamus damage your doctor can start you on hormone therapy to replace any deficiencies, or provide different forms of treatment.

Treatments for Hypothalamus Damage

Treatment for hypothalamus damage involves replacing lost hormones. Therefore, it’s important for all individuals to check their hormonal levels with their doctor as soon as possible after sustaining hypothalamus damage. 

Some of the most common hormones your doctor may suggest to increase include:

• Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin): which helps the body absorb more water
• Growth hormone: helps keep the bones and muscles healthy
• Hydrocortisone: is used to replace cortisol
• Progesterone: is needed for the menstrual cycle

Many of these hormones may need to be taken daily to help regulate the body and compensate for hypothalamus damage. Along with hormonal therapy, there are other management techniques that can help with a hypothalamus brain injury. 

Management for hypothalamus damage may also include:

• Medication (to replace deficient hormones or to regulate affected functions)
• Surgery or radiation (to remove tumors)
• Maintaining a well-balanced diet after brain injury
• Proper sleep (about 8 hours daily)
• Exercising regularly (to boost overall health)

Every brain injury is different, and while many survivors may experience similar symptoms, treatment will vary for everyone. Speak with your doctor to ensure which course of treatment is safe and suitable for your condition.

Understanding Hypothalamus Brain Injury Recovery

Hypothalamus damage can occur due to various conditions such as a head injury, tumor, and immune diseases. The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many of our bodily functions which can be lost after a traumatic event such as a head injury or tumor. 

Fortunately, many of these functions can be improved and restored with hormonal therapy. The sooner you seek treatment, the higher the chances of improving hypothalamus damage.

We hope this article helped you understand how hypothalamus damage can occur, and encouraged you to seek the proper medical care. seek the proper medical care.

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a challenging journey, but the right guidance can make all the difference. Our free eBook, “15 Recovery Tips Every TBI Survivor Should Know,” offers practical strategies and expert insights to help you or your loved one navigate the challenges of recovery – Download our FREE eBook “15 Recovery Tips Every TBI Survivor Should Know”!

The post Hypothalamus Damage and Brain Injury: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment appeared first on Flint Rehab.

In this article we will break down each type of injury by looking at their causes and symptoms. Additionally we will outline the best treatment options for each to promote recover and neuroplasticity.

Let’s dive in!

What Is a Focal Brain Injury?

A focal brain injury occurs when damage is localized to a specific area of the brain. This type of injury is typically caused by a direct impact – for example a blow to the head or penetrating injury. Since the damage is concentrated in one area, symptoms depend on the affected brain region.

Causes of Focal Brain Injury

Focal brain injuries often result from incidents that involve direct trauma. This may include:

• Blunt force trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or vehicle accidents that exert significant force on a particular part of the brain leading to localized damage.
• Penetrating injuries, where objects like bullets, shrapnel, or skull fragments pierce the brain tissue and cause specific damage.
• Hematomas and contusions, resulting from bleeding or bruising within the brain that creates pressure within a specific region, further contributing to localized injury.

These mechanisms of injury highlight the importance of using protective measures such as a helmet when engaging in high-risk activities, as direct impacts to the head are a leading cause of focal brain injuries.

Symptoms of Focal Brain Injury

The symptoms of a focal brain injury depend on the specific area of the brain that is damaged. Individuals may experience:

• Frontal lobe injuries, which can result in personality changes, difficulty with problem-solving, and impaired judgment.
• Temporal lobe injuries, leading to memory loss, difficulty understanding speech, and emotional instability.
• Parietal lobe injuries, which often cause trouble with spatial awareness and coordination.
• Occipital lobe injuries, where visual disturbances and difficulty recognizing objects may occur.

Because focal injuries affect a defined area, symptoms can often be linked to specific functional impairments, making diagnosis and treatment more targeted.

What Is a Diffuse Brain Injury?

A diffuse brain injury involves widespread damage across multiple areas of the brain. Unlike focal injuries, which are confined to a specific location, diffuse brain injuries affect the brain more generally, often leading to significant cognitive and functional impairments.

Causes of Diffuse Brain Injury

Diffuse brain injuries often result from events that cause rapid movement of the brain within the skull. Common causes include:

• Diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which occurs when rapid acceleration or deceleration—such as in a car crash or shaken baby syndrome—causes nerve fibers to stretch or tear.
• Hypoxic-ischemic injuries, which result from a lack of oxygen to the brain due to incidents like cardiac arrest, drowning, or suffocation, leading to widespread brain damage.
• Repeated head trauma, such as severe concussions from contact sports, which may contribute to diffuse brain injuries over time.

These injuries typically result in more widespread damage, affecting multiple areas of brain function.

Symptoms of Diffuse Brain Injury

Because diffuse injuries impact multiple brain regions, symptoms are often complex and widespread. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness, which can range from brief blackouts to prolonged comas.
• Cognitive impairments, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and slower processing speed.
• Motor function issues, such as muscle weakness, tremors, or difficulty with balance and coordination.
• Emotional and behavioral changes, including mood swings, depression, and anxiety.

Since diffuse injuries affect broader areas of the brain, recovery can be more unpredictable. This can require comprehensive treatment strategies to address the multiple deficits.

Diagnosis and Assessment of Focal and Diffuse Brain Injuries

Accurately diagnosing a brain injury is critical for effective treatment. Medical professionals use a combination of clinical evaluations and imaging techniques to assess the severity and location of the injury.

Medical Imaging

Doctors rely on various imaging techniques to diagnose brain injuries:

• CT scans are commonly used in emergency settings to detect bleeding, fractures, and swelling.
• MRI scans provide detailed images of soft tissues and help identify more subtle brain injuries, such as diffuse axonal injury.
• Functional MRI (fMRI) evaluates brain activity by measuring blood flow in different areas. This can be useful in assessing cognitive function following an injury.

Neurological and Cognitive Assessments

In addition to imaging, doctors and therapists conduct cognitive tests to evaluate memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Standardized tools, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), help assess the severity of TBIs based on responsiveness and consciousness. Neurological exams evaluate motor function, reflexes, and coordination, providing further insight into the extent of the injury.

13 Treatment and Recovery Strategies for Diffuse and Focal Brain Injury

Recovery from brain injury is highly individualized, and rehabilitation strategies must be tailored to address the specific patient needs. The approach for focal brain injuries differs vs diffuse brain injuries due to the nature and extent of damage.

Focal Brain Injury Recovery Strategies

For focal injuries, progress may be more predictable since the damage is isolated. Recovery is often dependent on neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Since neuroplasticity is activated by repetitive experiences, most rehabilitative strategies focus on consistently practicing specific skills.

Here are several tried and true therapies for focal brain injury recovery.

• Targeted rehabilitation is often more effective since the damage is localized. Therapy is designed to address specific deficits related to the injured brain region.
• Physical therapy is used for motor function recovery if movement is affected, with exercises tailored to the impacted side or limb.
• Occupational therapy is recommended for those who have trouble performing daily activities to improve independence and learn compensation strategies as needed.
• Speech therapy may be required if speech and language centers are affected, particularly for temporal or frontal lobe injuries.
• Cognitive therapy focuses on problem-solving and memory enhancement when these functions are impaired by a focal injury.
• Behavioral therapy can assist in managing emotional regulation, especially for those with frontal lobe injuries that impact impulse control.

Diffuse Brain Injury Recovery Strategies

Because diffuse brain injuries affect multiple regions, recovery is often less predictable, requiring a multidisciplinary approach and longer rehabilitation periods.

• Comprehensive and integrative rehabilitation is required, as damage affects multiple brain areas.
• Physical therapy may need to address widespread motor impairments, including muscle tone regulation and coordination.
• Occupational therapy can focus on improving independence with daily self-care tasks. This may include introducing compensatory strategies and caregiver training in more severe cases.
• Cognitive therapy is often extensive, targeting widespread cognitive impairments such as slowed processing speed, attention deficits, and memory problems.
• Speech and language therapy may be needed for communication difficulties, especially in cases where processing speed and word retrieval are impacted.
• Psychological support is crucial for both survivors and their loved ones, as individuals with diffuse injuries often experience mood swings, depression, and behavioral challenges due to the widespread nature of brain damage.
• Neuroplasticity-based interventions such as brain stimulation techniques, repetitive cognitive exercises, and mindfulness training may help rewire the brain (neuroplasticity) and improve function.

7 New and Emerging Treatment Options for Focal and Diffuse Brain Injuries

While the above approaches are tried and true, recent advancements in medical science have introduced new strategies for treatment of both focal and diffuse brain injury.

Let’s take a look at which ones are gaining the most traction.

New Treatments for Focal Brain Injuries

The following 3 strategies for recovery have gained some popularity for focal brain injuries to enhance rehabilitation and improve outcomes. They include:

• Stem cell therapy is being explored as a potential breakthrough, using regenerative cells to repair damaged brain tissue.
• Targeted brain stimulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS), is also showing promise in aiding neural recovery in individuals with focal injuries affecting motor function or cognition.
• Robot-assisted therapy has become increasingly common in rehabilitation settings. This technology, which may be used in combination with virtual reality, helps individuals regain motor skills through precise, repetitive movements that stimulate neuroplasticity.

New Treatments for Diffuse Brain Injuries

Because diffuse brain injuries impact multiple regions of the brain, treatment approaches must address widespread damage instead of focusing on a narrow area. Here are some of the most popular new options over the last 10 years.

• Neuroplasticity-based therapies, which focus on reprogramming the brain through intensive cognitive training, virtual reality rehabilitation, and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has also gained attention, as increased oxygen levels may help repair brain tissue and improve cognitive function in individuals with diffuse injuries.
• Intranasal drug delivery is another innovative approach which bypasses the blood-brain barrier to deliver neuroprotective compounds directly to injured brain tissue.
• Wearable neurotechnology, such as robotic exoskeletons and EEG-based biofeedback devices, allows patients to monitor and enhance brain function through real-time feedback and guided cognitive exercises.

The Future of Diffuse and Focal Brain Injury Treatment

While traditional rehabilitation strategies remain essential, these emerging treatments offer new hope for individuals recovering from focal and diffuse brain injuries. Research in personalized medicine, where treatment plans are tailored to an individual’s unique injury and genetic profile, is expected to further improve recovery outcomes.

As technology and medical science advance, the future holds great promise for more effective, targeted therapies that help individuals regain function and quality of life after brain injury. We hope this article provided you and your loved one with a better roadmap to recovery moving forward!

The post Focal vs. Diffuse Brain Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and the Path to Recovery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

To help you understand what recovery from a coup-contrecoup brain injury entails, this article will discuss:

• What Causes a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury?
• Diagnosing a Coup-Contrecoup Injury
• Coup-Contrecoup Injury Symptoms and Signs
• Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Treatment

What Causes a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury?

The terms coup and contrecoup are French for “blow” and “counterblow.” Therefore, a coup-contrecoup injury actually refers to two separate brain injuries sustained during the same incident.

A coup injury refers to the brain damage that occurs directly under the point of impact. In contrast, a contrecoup injury occurs on the opposite side of the brain from where the head is struck. These injuries can occur separately (as only a coup injury or only a contrecoup injury), but if the blow is strong enough, they often appear together (as a coup-contrecoup injury).

The brain is encased within the skull and is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid. Generally, this provides enough protection from the bumps and jolts we experience throughout the day. However, when the force of a blow to the head is severe enough, the brain can slam against the skull, causing serious damage.

Most coup-contrecoup injuries occur when the person’s head slams against a stationary object. For example, if a car hits you from behind, you may experience whiplash and hit your head against the steering wheel.

When the skull hits the object, the brain moves toward the object until it collides with the skull. Then, due to the impact of the initial trauma, it rebounds, causing the second impact to the brain due to hitting the opposite side of the skull. This is demonstrated in the video below.

Coup-contrecoup injuries are considered focal brain injuries, meaning that they are confined to specific areas of the brain. While individuals may demonstrate symptoms associated with both areas of brain damage, the contrecoup injury is often more severe than the coup injury. In the following section, we’ll discuss the various signs and symptoms an individual may experience after this type of head and brain injury.

Diagnosing a Coup-Contrecoup Injury

Diagnosis of a coup-contrecoup injury usually involves a physical and neurological examination. Doctors are able to identify whether a coup, contrecoup, or coup-contrecoup injury has occurred through a detailed assessment, along with imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan. If imaging tests reveal two distinct areas of damage that occur opposite from one another, it is usually considered a coup-contrecoup injury.

Coup-contrecoup injuries often involve brain contusions (bruising) and/or intracerebral hemorrhages (bleeding). Although individuals may display a wide variety of symptoms depending on which areas of the brain sustained damage, imaging tests can often paint a clearer picture in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury Symptoms

Coup-contrecoup brain injuries may affect any 2 regions of the brain, with one injury at the point of impact and the other at the opposite part of the brain. While symptoms may vary depending on which areas of the brain sustain damage, the most common symptoms of coup-contrecoup injuries include confusion and seizures.

Each hemisphere of the brain is divided into 4 lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. Most brain functions involve the collaboration of various regions of the brain. However, generally there is a specific region that each function can be primarily attributed to (the region that plays the greatest role in regulating that function).

Although coup-contrecoup injuries can affect any 2 areas of the brain, the frontal and temporal lobes are most often affected. Below, we’ll discuss common signs and symptoms of damage to each lobe of the brain.

1. Frontal Lobe Damage

The frontal lobe takes up the largest area of the cerebral cortex. It is primarily responsible for higher cognitive skills, such as attention, planning, memory, and behavior.

A coup-contrecoup injury that damages the frontal lobe may result in the following functional challenges:

• Impulsivity
• Poor judgement
• Memory loss
• Concentration problems
• Aphasia (language difficulties)
• Behavioral and personality changes
• Problem-solving difficulties
• Decision-making problems

Additionally, damage to the frontal lobe may impair motor control. As a result, individuals may experience weakness or paralysis of voluntary muscle movements.

2. Parietal Lobe Damage

The parietal lobe is located behind the frontal lobe. This region of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information such as touch and proprioception (your sense of where your body is in space). If a coup-contrecoup injury affects the parietal lobe, it may cause problems with sensation and perception. As a result, individuals may struggle to interact with their surroundings.

Common symptoms of parietal lobe damage include: 

• Numbness
• Burning
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Difficulty differentiating right from left
• Loss of direction
• Difficulties distinguishing temperatures
• Abnormal perception of pain
• Difficulties with reading, writing, and mathematics

3. Occipital Lobe Damage

Behind the parietal lobe and towards the back of the brain resides the occipital lobe. This region of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual stimuli.

A coup-contrecoup injury that affects the occipital lobe may involve different types of blindness and visual distortions, such as:

• Partial blindness (hemianopsia, also known as a visual field cut)
• Decreased peripheral vision
• Visual hallucinations/illusions
• Word blindness (alexia)
• Poor visual recognition and attention

4. Temporal Lobe Damage

The temporal lobe is located in the lower middle part of the brain, next to your temples and above the ears. Its main responsibility is processing auditory information, but it also plays a role in interpreting smell and sight.

A coup-contrecoup injury that affects the temporal lobe may result in:

• Hearing loss
• Trouble recognizing faces and objects
• Memory loss
• Difficulties understanding spoken language
• Difficulties finding the right words to say
• Attention problems
• Changes in emotional behavior

5. Additional Signs and Symptoms

Because coup-contrecoup brain injuries may affect any region of the brain, individuals may also experience other common secondary effects of brain injury, including:

• Severe headache
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Emotional challenges
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Amnesia (memory loss)
• Nausea
• Slurred speech

Now that you understand the potential outcomes the following section will discuss how to treat this type of head and brain injury.

Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Treatment

Treatment of coup-contrecoup injuries primarily depends on the severity of the injuries and which regions of the brain are affected. Every injury is unique, so a personalized approach to treatment that targets each individual’s specific secondary effects is ideal.

Frequently recommended rehabilitative interventions include:

• Physical therapy. If motor control and/or balance is affected after a injury, physical therapy can help improve these functions through targeted exercises.
• Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy can help individuals become as functional and independent as possible by rehabilitating affected functions and/or teaching survivors new ways to perform everyday activities.
• Speech therapy. If your injury results in aphasia, you may lose your ability to communicate. A speech therapist can help you regain language skills, as well as relearn swallowing skills if needed.
• Cognitive training. Cognitive training may help improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and learning skills after injury.

To improve outcomes after a coup-contrecoup injury, it is essential to practice rehabilitative exercises and activities as much as possible. This will stimulate the brain, reinforce demand for those functions, and promote neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire itself).

One way to perform as many repetitions as possible is to download a neurorehabilitation app on your phone or tablet, such as the CT Speech & Cognitive Therapy App. It provides access to over 100,000 speech and cognitive therapy exercises designed by speech therapists so you can practice whenever you want.

Additionally, the CT App targets a variety of functions including listening, speaking, attention, memory, and visual processing. This makes it ideal for all coup-contrecoup injury survivors, regardless of which regions of the brain are affected.

Likewise, if a coup-contrecoup injury has affected your mobility, it may be worth investing in home rehab devices like the Award Winning FitMi Home Therapy to retrain the brain to move again. FitMi includes 40 exercises for the leg, core, arm, and hand. They’re all designed by physical and occupational therapists to strengthen and improve motor control over muscles affected by brain injury.

Here’s what a caregiver said about FitMi during her son’s brain injury recovery:

“My son Sam has a TBI as a result of being hit by a car 5 years ago. We were looking for some way to get him to move since he would prefer to sit on the couch all day. He works with the FitMi on his own without anyone telling him to, and that is saying a lot. Any moving he does is good for him, and the FitMi is geared for reps of movements to help him continue to regain mobility. Best investment we have made since he left rehab!” — Ann L.

FitMi works best when used daily at home between outpatient therapy sessions. It helps fill in the gap when you can’t see your therapist daily or when insurance stops covering the sessions you need to continue improving.

Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries: Key Points

Coup-contrecoup brain injuries affect both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain. Because two regions of the brain are affected, individuals with these injuries may experience a wide range of secondary effects. Treatment will vary depending on which regions of the brain are affected and their subsequent effects.

We hope this article helped you understand the implications of a coup-contrecoup brain injury as well as the best practices for recovering from one.

The post Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury: Looking at Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for this 2 Sided Head Injury appeared first on Flint Rehab.

To help you better understand temporal lobe damage, this article will address:

• Functions Affected by Temporal Lobe Damage
• Potential Complications of Temporal Lobe Damage
• Temporal Lobe Damage Treatment
• Can Temporal Lobe Damage Be Reversed?

Functions Affected by Temporal Lobe Damage

Each area of the brain controls different functions and no two brain injuries are exactly alike. Therefore, depending on the severity and location of damage to the temporal lobe, individuals can experience a variety of cognitive impairments.

The temporal lobes play a role in many essential functions, including:

• Processing sensory information (mainly sound but also smell, vision, etc.)
• Memory
• Language comprehension
• Understanding social cues
• Facial recognition
• Processing spatial information
• Emotional regulation
• Attention
• Reward processing and motivation
• Automatic responses to stimuli (such as hunger and thirst)

The temporal lobes allow us to assign meaning to the world around us and interact with it. When this area of the brain is damaged, individuals generally experience a state of confusion due to difficulties understanding their surrounding environment.  This can present various challenges in one’s everyday life.

In the following section, we’ll discuss potential complications that may arise due to damage to the temporal lobes.

Potential Complications of Temporal Lobe Damage

Because many functions can be affected following temporal lobe damage, individuals may experience various complications that affect their ability to perceive and respond appropriately to their environment.

By having awareness of potential complications and how they may affect one’s day-to-day life, individuals can seek effective treatments to improve their overall quality of life.

Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common secondary effects of temporal lobe damage. Then, we’ll cover treatment and how the brain may recover affected functions.

1. Difficulty Recognizing Faces (Prosopagnosia)

Damage to the temporal lobe may contribute to difficulties interpreting visual information. When a specific area of the right temporal lobe is damaged, individuals may have trouble recognizing faces, as this is where facial recognition processing is believed to occur.

This condition is known as prosopagnosia or face blindness. Individuals with this condition struggle to tell one person’s face apart from another. As a result, looking at their spouse or best friend can feel like looking at a stranger.

Additionally, individuals may not be able to recognize facial expressions, which can make it challenging to appropriately socialize.

2. Visual Agnosia

Temporal lobe damage may also cause other types of agnosia besides prosopagnosia. The most severe form is called visual agnosia.

With visual agnosia, not only can a person not distinguish different faces, they can’t recognize or distinguish objects at all.

A person with visual agnosia may have perfectly clear vision, but not be able to tell what they are looking at. This occurs due to a problem processing visual stimuli.

For example, a flower might be mistaken for a dog, or a pen for a spoon. In one extraordinary case, a man with visual agnosia mistook his wife for a hat. This type of agnosia is rare, and the majority of patients with temporal lobe damage do not experience such severe effects.

3. Wernicke’s Aphasia

The temporal lobe is responsible for interpreting and assigning meaning to various sounds.

As a result, damage to the left temporal lobe often leads to problems understanding language, also known as receptive aphasia or Wernicke’s aphasia. Those with receptive aphasia after TBI often feel like the people around them are speaking another language.

Likewise, Wernicke’s aphasia may also affect speech. Generally, individuals can produce words with normal tone and speed; however, their sentences usually do not make any sense. Reading and writing are also frequently affected, as these require language comprehension as well.

In contrast, damage to the right temporal lobe may affect an individual’s ability to process music, which may cause difficulties singing.

4. Hearing Difficulties

Not only can temporal lobe damage affect the ability to interpret sounds, but it can also make it harder to detect sounds at all.

This is why some people experience hearing loss after brain injury. The problem is not really in the ear itself (unless other ear damage occurred during the injury) but in the brain structures responsible for processing sound.

In addition to general hearing problems, a person with temporal lobe damage may experience pure word deafness, which describes deafness only to spoken words. They have no problem hearing other sounds.

This condition is similar to receptive aphasia, except the person does not lose the ability to understand language – they can still speak, read and write, and can even read lips – they just can’t hear words clearly.

5. Attention Problems

Temporal lobe damage may also affect an individual’s selective attention. This means they have more difficulty picking out one thing to pay attention to among several other things.

For example, they would not be able to focus on a private conversation when in a loud, crowded room, or study while music is playing.

6. Memory Loss

The hippocampus is a structure in the temporal lobe that is responsible for forming emotional, long-term memories. As a result, memory problems are a very common effect of temporal lobe damage.

The most common memory problem after a temporal lobe injury is difficulty forming new long-term memories.

In serious cases, damage to the temporal lobe not only makes it challenging to form new memories but can also erase previously made autobiographical memories. This can cause the person to have a drastic change in self-image and may even lead to personality changes after brain injury.

7. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Sometimes a brain injury can lead to focal seizures in the temporal lobe. A focal seizure is just a surge of electrical activity in one part of the brain, as opposed to a generalized seizure that affects multiple areas.

Temporal lobe seizures are the most common type of focal seizures. Because the temporal lobe is more responsible for perception than movement, temporal lobe epilepsy does not usually involve violent convulsions like other forms of epilepsy after TBI.

Instead, a person experiencing a temporal lobe seizure will manifest very different symptoms, including déjà vu, unprovoked fear, visual distortions, and strange tastes and smells.

8. Changes in Emotional Behavior

Another prominent structure within the temporal lobe is the amygdala, which plays a major role in emotional regulation and mood.

Damage to the amygdala is associated with disturbances of emotional behavior, primarily fear. This may be why many individuals experience post-traumatic stress disorder following TBI.

Additionally, individuals may experience anger or aggression due to difficulties processing their surrounding environment.

Temporal Lobe Damage Treatment

Treatment for temporal lobe damage will require a personalized plan that targets each individual’s unique secondary effects.

Because damage to this region of the brain primarily affects cognitive functions like memory and communication, working on cognitive rehabilitation exercises can be effective. Consistently practicing cognitive rehabilitation exercises helps promote adaptive changes and strengthens neural pathways in the brain.

By participating in speech and occupational therapy, individuals can target affected functions and work on task-specific exercises to improve their quality of life.

A speech therapist (also known as a Speech-Language Pathologist) can help treat some forms of agnosia through naming therapy. They can also suggest different coping strategies to effectively deal with agnosia. For example, If you have trouble recognizing faces, a speech therapist might teach you to identify someone by another feature, such as their voice, body language, or even their hair.

Occupational therapy will focus on helping individuals improve their functional cognition by practicing everyday activities. Because temporal lobe damage can affect memory and sensory processing, it’s essential to address how to perform daily activities such as preparing meals, grooming, and transportation.

Can Temporal Lobe Damage Be Reversed?

Always remember that the effects of a traumatic brain injury are not always permanent. While temporal lobe damage cannot be reversed, functions affected by the damage can be reorganized and relearned by healthy regions of the brain.

The brain possesses a dynamic ability to heal itself and allow undamaged portions of the brain to take over control of damaged functions called neuroplasticity. The best way to promote this ability is through highly repetitive exercises and activities.

Consistent, specific, and repetitive practice of exercises and activities related to affected functions helps stimulate the brain and reinforce demand for those functions. The more you practice, the stronger the neural pathways for these skills become.

Even if it seems impossible to regain function after a temporal lobe injury, you should not lose hope. With consistency, patience, and the right treatment plan, there is always potential for recovery.

Temporal Lobe Damage: Key Points

Temporal lobe damage may affect many essential functions including language comprehension, emotional regulation, and memory. It can also significantly affect the way we process sensory information and interact with our surroundings.

Fortunately, thanks to neuroplasticity, there is hope for recovering affected functions. Treatment for temporal lobe damage will vary depending on what types of secondary effects the individual is experiencing.

We hope this article helped you understand the potential outcomes of temporal lobe damage and how to approach recovery.

The post Temporal Lobe Damage: Understanding the Effects, Treatments, & Recovery Process appeared first on Flint Rehab.

A hypoxic brain injury (HBI) occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen, leading to cell death (opposed to anoxic brain injury). The brain cells are especially sensitive to oxygen deprivation. This can have a profound impact on a person’s physical and cognitive abilities, affecting their movement, speech, memory, and even personality.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a look at the causes, symptoms, and long-term effects of hypoxic brain injury. We’ll explore the diagnostic process, treatment options, and the crucial role of rehabilitation in recovery. Finally, we’ll discuss how individuals and families can cope with the challenges of living with HBI and offer insights into prevention strategies.

Jump to a section:
What is a Hypoxic Brain Injury
Causes of Hypoxic Brain Injury
Symptoms of Hypoxic Brain Injury
Diagnosis and Treatment
Long Term Effects and Recovery
Living with Hypoxic Brain Injury
Prevention of Hypoxic Brain Injury

What is a Hypoxic Brain Injury?

A hypoxic brain injury (HBI) occurs when brain cells don’t receive enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen, even for a short period, can damage or destroy brain cells. The severity of an HBI can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of oxygen deprivation and the areas of the brain affected.

Causes of Hypoxic Brain Injury

Several situations can lead to a hypoxic brain injury:

• Cardiac Arrest: When the heart stops beating, blood flow to the brain ceases, cutting off the oxygen supply.
• Stroke: A stroke, whether ischemic (caused by a blood clot) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in the brain), disrupts blood flow and oxygen delivery to brain tissue.
• Near Drowning: Drowning or near-drowning incidents prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs and, consequently, the brain.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells, preventing them from carrying oxygen, leading to oxygen deprivation throughout the body, including the brain.
• Choking or Strangulation: These situations obstruct the airway, preventing oxygen from entering the lungs.
• Complications During Surgery: Though rare, complications like anesthesia errors or respiratory issues during surgery can interfere with oxygen supply to the brain.
• Severe Asthma Attack: Severe asthma attacks can restrict airflow to the lungs, limiting oxygen intake.
• Drug Overdose: Certain drugs, especially opioids, can suppress breathing and reduce oxygen levels in the blood.
• High Altitude Exposure

Symptoms of Hypoxic Brain Injury

Symptoms of an HBI vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the specific areas of the brain affected. Some common symptoms include:

• Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty with memory, attention, concentration, and decision-making. Some of which can be recovered.
• Communication Problems: Difficulty speaking, understanding language, or reading and writing. Also retrainable to some degree.
• Physical Impairments: Weakness, paralysis, problems with coordination and balance, tremors, or seizures. Usually resulting from cell death in the primary cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia, among a few others.
• Sensory Issues: Changes in vision, hearing, touch, or taste. 
• Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, impulsivity, or difficulty controlling emotions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing an HBI often involves a combination of:

• Medical History: Understanding the events leading to the oxygen deprivation.
• Physical Examination: Assessing neurological function, reflexes, and motor skills.
• Imaging Tests: CT scans or MRIs to identify areas of damage.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): To measure brain activity and detect seizures.

Treatment for an HBI focuses on stabilizing the individual, minimizing brain damage, and managing symptoms. This may include:

• Respiratory Support: Providing oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate oxygenation.
• Medications: To control seizures, reduce swelling in the brain, manage blood pressure, and address other complications.
• Therapeutic Hypothermia: In some cases, cooling the body to reduce brain metabolism and protect against further damage.
• Rehabilitation: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help regain lost skills and improve quality of life.

Long-Term Effects and Recovery

The long-term effects of an HBI are highly variable and depend on the severity of the injury. Some individuals may experience mild cognitive or physical impairments, while others may have significant disabilities requiring ongoing assistance.

Recovery from an HBI is often a long process, requiring patience, dedication, and support. Rehabilitation is essential for individuals to regain lost function and adapt to their condition. This involves stimulating the brain with repeated attempts at movement, or in a variety of other ways, so the brain can adapt and grow new neurons; a process referred to as neuroplasticity. While some individuals may notice improvements in function, others may experience lasting impairments. Even when deficits in function remain, professional help from rehabilitation therapists (like an Occupational Therapist) can help a person to adapt and cope better with losses in function.

Living with Hypoxic Brain Injury

Living with an HBI presents various challenges for both the individual and their family. Support groups, counseling, and OT, PT, or Speech Therapy can be beneficial in coping with the emotional and practical aspects of the condition.

Here are some tips for living with an HBI:

• Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to prescribed medications and therapies.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and prioritize sleep.
• Engage in Cognitive Activities: Practice memory exercises, puzzles, and other activities to stimulate the brain.
• Stay Socially Connected: Maintain relationships with friends and family and participate in social activities.
• Seek Support: Connect with support groups or mental health professionals for emotional support and guidance.

Prevention of Hypoxic Brain Injury

While not all HBIs are preventable, some measures can reduce the risk:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training: Learning CPR can help save lives in cases of cardiac arrest or near-drowning, as well as reduce the period of oxygen deprivation.
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home to alert you to the presence of this odorless, colorless gas.
• Safe Driving Practices: Wearing seatbelts and avoiding distracted driving can reduce the risk of accidents that could lead to HBIs.
• Prompt Medical Attention: Seek immediate medical help for any condition that could compromise oxygen supply to the brain.

Navigating the Path Forward After Hypoxic Brain Injury

A hypoxic brain injury presents a unique set of challenges, but it’s important to remember that it is not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right medical care, rehabilitation, and support system, individuals with HBI can participate in a meaningful life journey. While the road may be challenging and require adjustments; hope, perseverance, and a goal of discovering new ways to contribute remain essential guiding principles.

If you or someone you know is affected by hypoxic brain injury, remember that resources and support are available. By seeking professional guidance, embracing a proactive approach to recovery, and fostering a supportive environment, individuals with HBI can navigate the path forward with resilience and determination.

The post Hypoxic Brain Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process associated with anoxic brain injury. Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this article:

• What Is Anoxic Brain Injury
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosing Anoxic Brain Injury
• Treatment and Rehabilitation
• Recovery
• Living With Anoxic Brain Injury
• Prevention

What is Anoxic Brain Injury?

Anoxic brain injury is a type of brain injury that happens when the brain doesn’t receive any oxygen. The brain is very sensitive to oxygen deprivation. In fact, consciousness is often lost within one minute of oxygen disruption, while just three minutes of oxygen deprivation may result in brain cell damage.

Although it’s similar to anoxic brain injury, hypoxic brain injury occurs when the brain still receives some oxygen, but not enough for brain cells to function properly. However, both fall under the umbrella of hypoxic-anoxic brain injury.

Every part of the body needs oxygen to function, but the brain is especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation. If blood circulation and oxygen supply are fully restored to the brain within three minutes, individuals are likely make a complete recovery. However, the longer the brain goes without oxygen, the more extensive the damage may be.

Causes of Anoxic Brain Injury

Several situations can lead to anoxic brain injury. Typically, blood carries oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, including to the brain. Therefore, an anoxic brain injury is likely to occur if the blood is unable to carry a sufficient amount of oxygen or if the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. 

An anoxic brain injury may also occur if individuals are unable to inhale enough oxygen from their environment. This is the case in situations such as drowning or choking.

Below are several of the most common causes of anoxic brain injury:

• Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops beating, it can’t pump oxygenated blood to the brain.
• Stroke: A stroke that blocks blood flow to the brain can cause anoxia in the affected area.
• Near drowning: Drowning or near-drowning accidents prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs and, consequently, the brain.
• Choking: Obstruction of the airway can cut off the oxygen supply.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, effectively starving the brain of oxygen.
• Drug overdose: Certain drugs can suppress breathing and lead to anoxia.
• Complications during surgery: Though rare, anesthesia complications or surgical errors can interrupt oxygen flow to the brain.
• Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can sometimes disrupt blood flow within the brain.

Other situations, such as an electrical shock, strangulation, or smoke inhalation may also result in anoxia. Since brain damage may occur quickly, it is critical to restore the oxygen supply to the brain as soon as possible by seeking immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Anoxic Brain Injury

Depending on the cause and duration of anoxia, the whole brain may be affected (global anoxic brain injury), or only specific areas of the brain may sustain damage. For example, a parietal lobe stroke will only affect the oxygen supply to the parietal lobe, so damage will only occur in that area. On the other hand, the entire brain is often affected by conditions such as cardiac arrest, where oxygenated blood cannot reach the brain.

Signs that an individual may be experiencing anoxia or hypoxia include:

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Poor coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Skin turning blue

If oxygen deprivation lasts longer than a few minutes, longer-lasting symptoms of anoxic brain injury may occur. These can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the areas of the brain affected. Some common symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness: This can range from brief fainting to a prolonged coma.
• Cognitive impairments: Problems with memory, attention, concentration, and decision-making.
• Physical impairments: Weakness, paralysis, tremors, difficulty with coordination and balance.
• Sensory impairments: Vision or hearing problems, loss of sensation.
• Communication difficulties: Problems with speech, understanding language, reading, or writing.
• Emotional and behavioral changes: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, personality changes.

Addressing these symptoms in a timely manner can provide the optimal chances of recovery.

Diagnosing Anoxic Brain Injury

Certain areas of the brain are more vulnerable to anoxia. This includes the cerebral cortex (particularly the parietal and occipital lobes), the hippocampus (essential for memory) and the basal ganglia and cerebellum (which play a role in controlling movement). These areas may be examined particularly closely when diagnosing anoxia.

Diagnosing anoxic brain injury involves a combination of:

• Medical history and physical examination: involve gathering information about the events leading up to the injury and assessing the individual’s current physical and neurological state
• Neurological tests: may examine cognitive function, reflexes, coordination, and sensory perception
• Imaging studies: CT scans or MRIs can reveal areas of brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): measures brain activity and can help identify abnormalities

These tests can allow doctors to further understand the location and severity of brain damage that may have occurred. Furthermore, analyzing the results of these tests can allow doctors to better predict the individual’s recovery prognosis.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Immediate treatment for anoxic brain injury focuses on stabilizing the patient and minimizing further damage. This may involve:

• Respiratory support: Providing oxygen or mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate oxygenation.
• Medications: To control blood pressure, reduce swelling in the brain, and prevent seizures.
• Therapeutic hypothermia: Cooling the body to a lower temperature may reduce oxygen demands and help protect the brain from further damage in some cases.

Once the patient is stable, it is highly recommended to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. This crucial phase of recovery may include:

• Physical therapy: To improve strength, coordination, balance, and mobility.
• Occupational therapy: To regain skills needed for daily living, such as dressing, eating, and bathing.
• Speech therapy: To address cognitive changes and communication difficulties.
• Cognitive rehabilitation: To improve memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.
• Psychological counseling: To help patients and families cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the injury.

Pursuing therapy early on in the recovery process often results in the best outcomes. Unfortunately, recovery after an anoxic brain injury is often slower than that of other types of brain injuries. However, there is always hope for improvement.

Recovery from Anoxic Brain Injury

Recovery from anoxic brain injury is a long and challenging process. The extent of recovery depends on many factors, including:

• Severity of the injury: The longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the greater the potential damage.
• Age and overall health: Younger individuals and those in good health prior to the injury tend to have better outcomes.
• Access to rehabilitation: Early and intensive rehabilitation is crucial for maximizing recovery.
• Support system: Strong support from family and friends can significantly impact the recovery journey.

Recovery is often gradual and may continue for years. Some individuals make significant progress and regain a high level of independence, while others experience lasting impairments.

Living with Anoxic Brain Injury

Living with anoxic brain injury can present ongoing challenges for both the survivor and their family. It’s important to:

• Be patient: Expect ups and downs on the recovery journey; even slow progress is still progress.
• Stay positive: Focus on celebrating small victories and maintaining hope.
• Seek support: Connect with local or online support groups, therapists, and other resources.
• Adapt to changes: Work with an occupational therapist to learn new strategies for daily tasks and adapt the environment to accommodate any lasting impairments.
• Advocate: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advocate for your needs.

If you or someone you love has experienced an anoxic brain injury, there are many resources available to help:

• The Brain Injury Association of America: Provides information, support, and resources for individuals with brain injuries and their families.
• The Shepherd Center: A rehabilitation hospital specializing in brain and spinal cord injury.
• Headway: The Brain Injury Association: A UK-based charity that provides a wide range of information and support regarding brain injuries.

Talk with your doctor or therapist for further recommendations.

Preventing Anoxic Brain Injury

While not all causes of anoxic brain injury are preventable, there are steps to reduce the risk:

• Learn CPR: Knowing CPR can help save a life in the event of cardiac arrest.
• Prevent choking: Chew food thoroughly and supervise young children while they eat.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors: These can alert individuals to the presence of this dangerous gas.
• Seek prompt medical attention: If you or someone nearby experiences symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, seek immediate medical attention.
• Practice water safety: Supervise children around water and wear life jackets when boating.

Following these simple recommendations can prevent or lessen the impact of an anoxic brain injury.

Hope for the Future

While anoxic brain injury is a serious condition, it’s important to remember that there is hope for recovery. With the right treatment, rehabilitation, and support, many individuals are able to make significant progress and live fulfilling lives.

Research continues to advance our understanding of brain injury, and new treatments are consistently being studied to improve outcomes.

The post Anoxic Brain Injury: Understanding the Causes, Effects, and Recovery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

In this article, you will learn more about blast-induced traumatic brain injuries and what to do if you or a loved one experiences one.

What Is a Blast Injury?

A blast-induced traumatic brain injury is caused by a complex pressure wave generated by an explosion. During an explosion, a compression of air forms in front of a blast wave, which heats and accelerates the movement of air molecules.

This phenomenon, called blast overpressure, causes an instantaneous rise in atmospheric pressure that is too high for the human body to withstand.

A blast injury can cause life-threatening injuries and can affect multiple organs, including the brain. The brain is particularly vulnerable to blast injuries because of its delicate composition.

The severity of a blast-induced traumatic brain injury depends on several factors, including the type of explosion (nuclear, mechanical, or chemical), the distance between the victim and the explosion (including any protection the victim had), and the mechanism of the blast injury.

In the following section, we’ll discuss the various ways individuals may experience TBI after a blast injury.

Blast Injury Mechanisms

There are four basic mechanisms of blast-induced traumatic brain injuries that a person may experience:

• Primary blast injuries. This refers to the immediate injury to tissue as a result of the explosion itself. Organs surrounded by fluid such as the brain and spinal cord are especially susceptible to a pressure wave from a blast. The pressure wave can cause axonal injury, a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and brain contusions. Within a few days of a blast, an increase in intracranial pressure can build and lead to life-threatening conditions.
• Secondary blast injuries. These result from fragments flying through the air after an explosion. Secondary blast injuries are more common than primary, and a seemingly small wound can hide a more devastating injury underneath.
• Tertiary blast injuries. This occurs when the victim is thrown through the air into something solid, or when a structure collapses and injures a person. These injuries can cause blunt force trauma to the brain similar to the type of brain injuries seen in car crashes.
• Quaternary blast injuries. These include a variety of injuries resulting from exposure to fire, fumes, radiation, biological agents, smoke, dust, toxins, environmental exposure, and even the psychological impact of an event.

All four mechanisms can occur simultaneously, leading to complicated and sometimes life-threatening circumstances.

Categories of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injuries

Blast-induced concussions can be divided into three categories, depending on the severity of the injury:

• Grade 1. Confusioned state. The person has not lost consciousness and there are no gaps in their memory, but they are not following what is happening.
• Grade 2. Presence of post-traumatic amnesia and classic symptoms of concussion – such as dizziness, headache, and nausea – for at least 15 minutes.
• Grade 3. Loss of consciousness.

For more severe blast injuries, doctors will most likely use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess patients.

The GCS consists of 15 points total, with points used to measure various functions such as eye-opening and verbal response.

Based on the number of points a person scores on the test, doctors will classify patients into four groups:

• Mild TBI: GCS score = 13-15 pts
• Moderate Disability: GCS score = 9-12 pts
• Severe Disability: GCS score = 4-8 pts.
• Persistent Vegetative State: GCS score = 3 pts.

The higher the points, the higher likelihood of making a full recovery.

Signs and Symptoms of Blast-induced Traumatic Brain Injuries

During World War I, British doctor and psychologist Charles Myers noticed that soldiers exposed to explosions on the battlefield all displayed similar signs and symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms that Myers observed include:

• Tremors
• Facial spasms
• Mood swings
• Inability to walk
• Sluggish reflexes
• Breathing difficulties
• Double vision
• Memory problems

In addition, compared to soldiers with non-blast-related TBIs, soldiers exposed to explosions were more irritated by sudden loud noises and experienced more emotional and physical exhaustion.

This led Myers to coin the term “shell shocked” to describe the combination of symptoms seen in blast victims. Today, shell shock is known as PTSD.

Myers and most doctors at the time considered shell shock to be a purely psychological disorder. However, today’s science has shown that these symptoms primarily result from physical changes in the brain.

Up next, we’ll discuss treatment interventions for blast-induced traumatic brain injuries.

Treating Blast TBIs

While blast-induced traumatic brain injuries are unique in their mechanisms of injury, the brain recovers and heals similarly to all other brain injuries. Similarly to other TBI patients, an individualized rehabilitation program will stimulate the brain to heal itself.

A key part of TBI rehabilitation for blast victims will involve activating the brain’s natural repair mechanism, neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways. These pathways allow undamaged portions of the brain to take over functions from injured areas. This is how brain injury survivors can regain abilities even years after their injury.

Why Exercise is Crucial for Recovery

The best way to stimulate neuroplasticity is through repetitive activity. The more you exercise your hand, for example, the more your brain will lay down new neural pathways in response. As these pathways become reinforced through practice, your hand function will improve.

It can be boring to do the number of exercises needed to activate neuroplasticity on your own. Fortunately, there are home therapy devices, such as MusicGlove, which is clinically proven to improve hand function in two weeks.

The magic of MusicGlove is that it is fun to do hundreds of exercises because it is an engaging music game. You are motivated to continue moving much more than traditional therapy.

MusicGlove is covered by the Department of Veteran Affairs. This means, if you have ever served in the U.S. military, you can get a MusicGlove free of charge.   

Understanding Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injuries

In many ways, blast injuries are more complex than other TBIs. But when it comes to treatment, the principles remain the same.

Even though the symptoms of blast-induced brain injury can be debilitating, the brain is a remarkably adaptive organ. By activating neuroplasticity through therapy, you can give yourself the best chance at making a functional recovery.

The post Understanding Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanism, Symptoms, and Treatment appeared first on Flint Rehab.

However, vision problems can manifest in different ways. This article will focus on describing the types of visual changes that may occur following occipital lobe damage. Recommended treatment methods will also be outlined.

Please use the links below to jump directly to any section of this article:

• Understanding the occipital lobe
• Symptoms of occipital lobe damage
• Potential treatments

Understanding the Occipital Lobe

The occipital lobe, located in the rear portion of the cerebral cortex, is primarily responsible for visual functions. It contains the primary and secondary visual cortices, which are essential for processing visual information.

After being processed, visual information leaves the occipital lobe via two major pathways: the dorsal and ventral streams. The ventral stream is a pathway that leads to the temporal lobe. It carries information related to object form, color, and recognition. Essentially, it helps the temporal lobe determine “what” is being seen.

The dorsal stream, on the other hand, carries information regarding where objects are located in space. It flows into the parietal lobe, where the information is further processed.

Since the occipital, parietal, and temporal lobes interact closely together, the symptoms of occipital lobe damage can overlap with those associated with parietal or temporal lobe damage. A CT scan or MRI can help determine precisely which areas of the brain have been damaged.

Symptoms of Occipital Lobe Damage

Occipital lobe damage symptoms involve problems with vision and perception. Vision problems result from deficits in the visual field, while visual perceptual challenges result from an inability to adequately interpret what is being seen.

The most common symptoms of occipital lobe damage are blindness and visual distortions, such as hallucinations. However, there are several other visual and perceptual symptoms individuals can experience as well.

1. Partial Blindness

Partial blindness is a vision problem that occurs when only a portion of the visual field is impaired. It can manifest in several different ways, including:

• Hemianopsia – Loss of half of the visual field, either horizontally or vertically.
• Quadrantanopsia – A quarter of the visual field is lost.
• Peripheral vision loss – The outer edges of the visual field are lost.
• Central vision loss – The middle of the visual field is lost, but the peripheral vision is fine.

Individuals with occipital lobe damage often develop a specific form of hemianopsia referred to as homonymous hemianopsia. This occurs when the same part of the visual field is lost in both eyes. When caused by occipital lobe damage, homonymous hemianopsia is often accompanied by macular sparing, which means that the center portion of the visual field remains intact.

2. Word Blindness (Alexia)

Occipital lobe damage may also lead alexia, a perceptual condition characterized by the inability to read or recognize written words. This occurs when visual information from the occipital lobe is unable to be effectively transmitted to the visual word form area, a portion of the brain responsible for decoding written language.

While there are a number of types of alexia, occipital lobe damage results in pure alexia, also known as alexia without agraphia. Individuals with pure alexia are unable to comprehend written words, but can still spell and write.

3. Color Agnosia

Color agnosia is similar to color blindness. However, while color blindness affects the ability to perceive color, color agnosia affects color knowledge.

In individuals with color agnosia, the mechanisms in the eye that enable individuals to see color remain intact, but the ability to identify and distinguish colors is impaired. Although individuals with color agnosia can still see in color, they may be unable to cognitively match objects with their correct color (e.g. remembering that the grass is green) or label visually presented colors accurately.

4. Akinetopsia (Motion Blindness)

This rare condition results in the inability to perceive motion within the visual field. Instead, individuals with akinetopsia might see motion as a series of still images, like something moving under a strobe light. In severe cases, those with akinetopsia might not be able to detect motion at all, but their vision of stationary objects would remain intact.

5. Simultanagnosia (Balint’s syndrome)

Common after both parietal and occipital lobe damage, Balint’s syndrome is a condition characterized by simultanagnosia, optic ataxia and oculomotor apraxia.

• Simultanagnosia. Involves perceiving only parts of the visual field at a time, rather than viewing it as a whole. This can present as an inability to perceive more than one object at any given point in time. For example, individuals may see only a door or a window when looking at a house, or be unable to perceive their fork while seeing their plate.
• Optic Ataxia. Difficulty reaching for an object despite looking at it.
• Oculomotor Apraxia. Inability to move the eyes in a coordinated, purposeful way (i.e. moving the eyes towards a specific object).

Individuals with Balint’s syndrome would also be unable to read, because they could only process one letter at a time. Although their visual fields may be intact, the perceptual deficits involved in Balint’s syndrome are so severe individuals may function as if they were blind.

Identifying whether vision, perception, or both are affected following occipital lobe damage can help to guide treatment options. While individuals may experience one or more of the above conditions, visual rehabilitation can restore the ability to see more accurately again.

Treatments for Occipital Lobe Damage

Treatments designed to address occipital lobe damage can be divided into two categories: rehabilitative techniques and compensatory strategies. Rehabilitative techniques focus on restoring lost vision and perception skills, while compensatory strategies involve learning how to make up for lost skills. Most treatments for occipital lobe damage focus on using compensatory strategies to maximize one’s remaining vision.

Potential compensatory strategies for individuals whose vision has been affected by occipital lobe damage include:

• Using text-to-speech software to translate written words for those with alexia
• Scanning techniques, which involve intentionally turning the head to visually scan one’s surroundings in order to minimize visual field deficits
• Learning to rely more on other senses, such as the sense of touch, to accurately perceive objects in the surrounding environment
• Wearing specialized prism glasses to shift images that were previously outside of the intact visual field to where they can be seen

While compensatory techniques tend to be used more widely, rehabilitative eye exercises are also recommended for some individuals following occipital lobe stroke. These exercises engage the brain’s neuroplasticity, or its ability to rewire itself, in order to help improve vision.

Other visual restoration therapies, which may involve presenting stimuli to affected areas of the visual field or other specialized trainings, are still being developed. While several restoration therapies have been studied, researchers have yet to find an option that is effective enough to recommend widely. However, these therapies may be an option for recovery in the future.

Neuro-optometrists, vision rehabilitation therapists, and occupational therapists specialized in visual impairments can be excellent resources to learn more about which treatments may be best. Although visual and perceptual skills may not be fully restored, pursuing treatment for occipital lobe damage can result in significant functional improvements.

Understanding Occipital Lobe Injuries

Damage to the occipital lobe can cause blindness and other visual distortions, including hallucinations. Although living with visual problems can be difficult, therapists and neuro-optometrists can help individuals learn to adapt.

Using compensatory strategies as well as rehabilitative techniques can help individuals maximize their current visual abilities and potentially restore lost skills. Furthermore, new treatments are currently being studied to help individuals restore even more of their vision after occipital lobe damage. Talk with a therapist specialized in vision or a neuro-optometrist to find out more about how to recover from visual and perceptual changes following occipital lobe damage.

The post Occipital Lobe Damage: How It Affects Vision & The Recovery Process appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This article describes the signs and symptoms of prefrontal cortex damage, and explains how to promote cognitive functions after a prefrontal cortex injury. Please feel free to use the links below to jump directly to any section of this article.

• What is the prefrontal cortex?
• Effects of prefrontal cortex damage
• Treatment and management techniques

What is the Prefrontal Cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is located at the forefront of the frontal lobe, directly behind the eyes and forehead. It comprises nearly 30 percent of the area of the cerebral cortex, making the prefrontal cortex of humans proportionately larger than that of any other animal.

Researchers typically divide the prefrontal cortex into multiple sub-regions, including the:

• Dorsolateral cortex
• Dorsomedial cortex
• Ventromedial cortex
• Orbitofrontal cortex

These areas control many diverse functions such as abstract reasoning, decision-making, and goal-oriented behaviors. These higher-level cognitive skills, often referred to as executive functions, help individuals control their impulses, interact appropriately, and act with long-term consequences in mind.

Executive functions are also used to adjust behaviors to fit specific circumstances. This requires skills such as initiation, attention, self-monitoring, self-correction, problem solving, and judgement.

In addition to controlling higher-level cognitive skills, the prefrontal cortex plays a role in personality expression and creativity. These abilities are often integral to what makes an individual unique. Unfortunately, an injury to the prefrontal lobe can affect each of these functions, resulting in changes to the survivor’s cognition and behavior.

Effects of Prefrontal Cortex Damage

Survivors with prefrontal cortex damage typically do not display the classic signs of a brain injury. For example, they may have no difficulties with movement, and all their senses are usually intact. Therefore, at first glance, they can appear to have made a full recovery from their injury.

However, family members and close friends might notice more concerning changes. Although they may seem to be able to perform most daily activities with little difficulty, survivors frequently have trouble completing tasks involving high level executive functions, a condition referred to as executive dysfunction.

Survivors may also demonstrate differences in how they responds to others, such as displaying blunted emotional responses or becoming more aggressive and irritable. The survivor’s behavior may also change, with some survivors struggling with motivation and initiating activities, while others may display problems with self-control and impulsivity.

Other common effects of prefrontal cortex damage include:

• decreased empathy
• short-term memory loss or amnesia
• poor decision-making skills
• personality changes
• difficulty with planning and organization
• inflexibility and stubbornness
• limited attention
• perseveration

Since these functions involve higher-level cognitive skills and responses, treatment can be a little more complex. However, with the right approach, it is possible for the survivor to restore their cognitive skills and personality traits.

Treating Prefrontal Cortex Damage

Treating damage to the prefrontal cortex is difficult. Working with professionals who specialize in cognition and behavior, such as neuropsychologists, cognitive-behavioral therapists, occupational therapists, or speech-language pathologists, can greatly improve the survivor’s recovery outcomes.

These professionals can help survivors learn specific techniques to manage executive dysfunction and behave appropriately in different circumstances. Additionally, they can help survivors and their family members explore coping mechanisms and techniques to adjust to the many changes that occur following a brain injury.

Individuals with prefrontal cortex damage often thrive in a highly structured and organized environment. However, tasks that require creativity or self-initiative are harder for them to perform. Therefore, most therapists will try to help the survivor relearn how to adapt to new situations and create their own structure.

The following are a few ways to accomplish this:

1. Create a Routine

Survivors with prefrontal cortex damage often struggle to plan or initiate activities on their own. This can cause inactivity, which will eventually lead to cognitive and physical decline.

Developing a structured routine can help survivors overcome this. Following a consistent routine helps survivors know which activities to expect throughout their day, without having to plan and organize their schedule each day.

If possible, it is beneficial for the survivor’s routine to include activities similar to those in their routine before their brain injury. For example, if an individual regularly went to the gym every morning, it may be helpful to include some form of morning exercise in their new routine, even if they are currently unable to go to the gym independently.

Family members and occupational therapists can be excellent resources to help survivors create a routine. Balancing productive activities with leisure and self-care time through a daily or weekly schedule can be especially beneficial. Many also find it helpful to write these tasks down on a calendar or in a planner, and check them off when completed to provide a sense of accomplishment.

2. Try Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help survivors address the emotional and behavioral effects of damage to the prefrontal cortex. Specifically, CBT helps individuals learn how to convert negative beliefs that might affect behavior to positive ones.

For example, an individual with prefrontal cortex damage may feel as though they cannot perform any task from start to finish. This may cause them to believe that there is no reason to even try starting something.

A cognitive-behavioral therapist can help the individual retrain their thought patterns through various strategies. This could include skill building to relearn how to focus on completing a task and successive approximation, which involves working on simple, accomplishable tasks and building to more difficult ones.

As individuals learn to replace their negative beliefs with positive ones, their emotions and behavioral responses often improve. As they continue to challenge negative beliefs, the brain continues to change and create new neural pathways through a process called neuroplasticity.

3. Use Strategies to Improve Attention and Task Performance

Survivors of prefrontal cortex damage often have difficulties with completing tasks due to difficulties with attention and organization. There are many strategies to address these areas, including:

• Practicing task sequencing: To promote improvements in planning, sequencing, and organization skills, survivors must practice activities involving these skills.One such activity is task sequencing. Start by asking a someone to write down each step needed to complete an activity on a separate sticky note. For example, for making a pot of coffee, they may include steps such as get out the coffee pot, fill the pot with water, pour water into the coffee maker, put the coffee pot in place, insert a coffee filter, measure and pour coffee grounds, and press the start button. Then, the survivor can work to put the steps together in the correct order. As sequencing skills improve, survivors can work on more complicated tasks, such as preparing a meal. As they continue to improve, survivors can practice independently writing down the steps of an activity in order. This exercise can teach individuals how to organize their thoughts and think through a situation clearly.
• Minimizing distractions: Since prefrontal cortex damage can also cause problems with attention, it can be important to minimize distractions as much as possible. This might look different for each person. For example, if loud noises distract the person, they might need to work in their own quiet room. If that is not possible, noise-canceling headphones might be a good alternative. Keeping background stimulus, such as music or television, to a minimum may also help.
• Practicing mindfulness: Making a conscious effort to stay present in the moment can be difficult, especially for someone with a prefrontal cortex injury. Practicing mindful awareness of one’s inner self (thoughts and feelings) and the surrounding environment can help survivors improve attention, emotional regulation, and mental flexibility. Survivors can start by practicing mindfulness for just a few minutes each day, and gradually increase the amount of time spent practicing as their focus and attention improve.

As survivors continue using these strategies, their attention and organizational skills may improve, helping them to complete more complex activities. Even if noticeable improvements are not seen immediately, there is always hope for recovery after traumatic brain injury. Consulting with an occupational therapist or speech language pathologist may help survivors learn other ways to improve their higher-level cognitive skills.

4. Cultivate a Supportive Environment

Because survivors of prefrontal cortex damage often have difficulties with initiating and pursuing recovery, it can be especially important for them to have a circle of support. Family members, close friends and medical professionals can play a vital role in helping to encourage, support, and motivate survivors throughout their recovery.

The following strategies can also help individuals cultivate a supportive environment:

• Join a brain injury support group. Both survivors and their family members can benefit from support groups to have a safe place where they can share their struggles and learn from others’ experiences.
• Know that recovery is not linear. It is essential for survivors and their families to acknowledge that both improvements and setbacks are normal parts of the recovery process. While it can be beneficial for the survivor to consistently challenge themselves, there may also be days when they need a break from rehabilitation or simply need a listening ear.
• Consider using a recovery journal. Keeping a recovery journal is an excellent way to see one’s progress over time. Consider marking especially good days to look back at for inspiration when the recovery process becomes frustrating.

Social and emotional support is vital for survivors to achieve their optimal recovery outcomes. Being present throughout both the good and bad times can help survivors as they adjust to life after brain injury.

5. Ask About Medications

Finally, individuals may find that using medications can help reduce the adverse effects of prefrontal cortex damage. One commonly prescribed drug for brain injury survivors is Ritalin.

Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, increases the level of dopamine in the brain. This helps increase motivation and concentration, two skills that many brain injury survivors struggle with.

While medication should not replace other treatments, it can act as a helpful supplement. In fact, many survivors have found that drugs such as Ritalin help them regain the motivation they need to continue with their other therapies.

Therefore, if an individual’s symptoms do not improve with therapy, ask their doctor if Ritalin or other medications might be beneficial.

Understanding Prefrontal Cortex Damage

An injury to the prefrontal cortex can cause problems with complex cognitive skills, personality, and behavior. It can also change the way a person expresses their emotions.

While these functions are difficult to treat, with the right strategies it is still possible to recover many higher-level cognitive functions and live independently after brain injury. Creating a routine, pursing therapies, cultivating support, and using medications as necessary can all promote recovery in individuals with prefrontal cortex damage.

Recovery takes time and consistent practice. While these techniques may work for many survivors, each brain injury is unique, so they may not be effective for everyone. Talk with a doctor or neuropsychologist for more ideas on how to overcome prefrontal cortex damage.

The post Prefrontal Cortex Damage: Understanding the Effects & Methods for Recovery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

To help you understand what to expect following injury to the left side of the brain, this article will discuss:

• Left hemisphere functions
• Left side brain damage symptoms
• Treatment and recovery

Functions of the Left Hemisphere

To understand what to expect following left side brain damage, it helps to first review how the brain works. The brain acts as the control center for the entire body and is responsible for both physical and cognitive functions.

The brain is divided into two sides, or hemispheres, which are distinguished as left and right. Each hemisphere is responsible for governing function on the opposite side of the body. For example, the left side of the brain commands movement on the right side of the body, and vice versa.

In addition to movement control, the right side of the brain is largely responsible for non-verbal, intuitive, and creative actions such as musical and artistic abilities. On the other hand, the left side of the brain is primarily in charge of regulating verbal, analytical, and logical functions.

Some primary functions controlled by the left side of the brain include:

• Logic and reasoning
• Number skills
• Analytic thought
• Language comprehension and speech
• Right-side body movements
• Sequential thinking

The left side of the brain is considered the “language hub” of the brain. It is where the bulk of your language abilities lie, particularly your ability to produce and understand language. Consequently, damage to the left hemisphere can result in a variety of speech- and language-related deficits.

Now that you’re familiar with what functions are regulated by the left side of the brain, let’s discuss the potential effects of left side brain damage. Keep in mind that everyone’s brain is uniquely wired and the different areas of function will vary slightly from person to person.

Left Side Brain Damage Symptoms

Damage to the left side of the brain can occur due to many different neurological injuries or disorders, including TBI and left hemisphere stroke. Depending on the location of the injury, left side brain damage can cause a variety of secondary effects that impact your movement, communication, and cognitive skills.

Below are some common effects that may occur following left side brain damage:

1. Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to produce and understand speech. It may also cause difficulties with reading and writing, which can be extremely frustrating for survivors.

Several types of aphasia may develop after damage to the left side of the brain. The three most common are:

• Broca’s aphasia. This is sometimes referred to as “expressive” or “non-fluent” aphasia. With Broca’s aphasia, a person may understand what others say, but cannot produce their own words. As a result, they may struggle to find the right words to say and might repeatedly use short sentences or single words to get their point across. Individuals with Broca’s aphasia are often able to read (silently, not out loud), but frequently have trouble with writing.
• Wernicke’s aphasia. This form of aphasia is the opposite of Broca’s aphasia. With Wernicke’s aphasia, a person can speak fluently, but cannot understand language. For example, they may be unable to read or recognize what others are saying, and often speak in long, nonsensical sentences. The tone and articulation of their words may be unaffected, but these individuals tend to speak rapidly and might have difficulty repeating words or phrases.
• Global aphasia. This is considered to be the most severe form of aphasia as it affects multiple language hubs in the brain, including Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas. A person with global aphasia cannot speak, read, or write and may only minimally understand others.

2. Apraxia of Speech

Not all language problems are caused by aphasia. Following left side brain damage, the brain sometimes loses its ability to communicate fluently with the facial muscles. This leads to a condition called apraxia of speech, or verbal apraxia.

With apraxia of speech, the brain cannot plan and coordinate the sequences of oral motor movements necessary for speech articulation. This may make it difficult to form and pronounce words correctly, even though you may not have weakness in the muscles involved in speech and you know what words you want to say.

3. Dysarthria and Dysphagia

Two other speech disorders associated with left side brain injury are dysarthria and dysphagia. Dysarthria refers to a weakness of the mouth and tongue, which causes a person to speak more slowly and/or slur their speech. On the other hand, dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing due to weakness or impaired control of the throat muscles used for swallowing.

The two disorders often appear together because speaking requires many of the same muscles used for swallowing. If left untreated, dysphagia can lead to serious complications such as choking, pneumonia, and malnutrition, so it is important to seek help from your rehab team.

4. Right-Side Weakness (Hemiparesis) and Sensory Loss

The left side of the brain controls movement on the right side of the body, therefore left side brain damage may cause right-side weakness (hemiparesis). In severe cases, a person can experience full paralysis on their right side (right sided hemiplegia).

These conditions occur because of damage to the primary motor cortex, which lies in the frontal lobe of the brain. If the left half of the motor cortex sustains damage, movement on the right side of the body will be affected.

After damage to the left motor cortex, a person may struggle to:

• Lift their right arm
• Move the fingers on their right hand
• Control the right side of their face
• Walk due to balance difficulties and weakness of the right leg

In addition, if left side brain injury includes damage to the internal capsule or somatosensory cortex, survivors may experience a loss of sensation on their right side. This can manifest as numbness, tingling, pins-and-needles, a loss of proprioception, and other sensory deficits.

To restore movement, you should practice physical therapy exercises that utilize your affected muscles. This will stimulate the brain and promote adaptive changes to its neural pathways. Furthermore, another therapy technique called sensory reeducation can be used to help regain sensation after left side brain injury, such as stroke.

5. Computation and Reasoning Problems

Lastly, left side brain damage may cause difficulties with math and logic skills. It may also affect abstract reasoning and organization abilities. Individuals with left hemisphere damage often struggle to keep their thoughts straight, which may make problem-solving more difficult and lead to increased frustration.

Some other cognitive skills that left side brain injuries can affect include:

• Concentration
• Memory
• Ability to gather and sort information
• Prioritization
• Strategy and planning

These skills help comprise a group of abilities known as executive functions. To help you understand how to recover these functions, as well as others affected by left side brain damage, the following section will discuss treatment options.

Left Side Brain Damage Treatment

While the effects of left side brain damage can be serious, they may not be permanent. The brain possesses a remarkable ability to make adaptive changes, known as neuroplasticity. This ability enables the brain to rewire functions affected by damage to unaffected regions of the brain, allowing for relearning of lost skills. 

To activate neuroplasticity, you must engage in highly repetitive and intensive practice of affected movements or skills. This helps stimulate the brain and reinforce demand for those functions. 

Some rehabilitative therapies that can help you promote neuroplasticity after left side brain damage include:

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can help individuals overcome aphasia, apraxia, and dysarthria. Additionally, a speech therapist may teach individuals effective practices to develop their cognitive abilities, such as their executive functioning skills. Speech therapists help evaluate the severity of an individual’s orofacial and cognitive impairments and develop personalized rehabilitation plans to improve them. 

For individuals with more severe forms of language impairments, a speech therapist may teach them how to use alternative forms of communication to improve their quality of life. Speech therapists can also address dysphagia through oral motor exercises and recommending foods with softer textures as needed.

Physical Therapy

To recover motor control on the right side of the body, individuals should participate in physical therapy after left side brain damage. A physical therapist will guide the individual through targeted exercises to stimulate weakened muscles, improve balance, and promote neuroplasticity in the brain.

Major areas of focus for a physical therapy rehabilitation plan will include increasing range of motion and decreasing spasticity. They can help enhance quality of life by improving performance of necessary skills such as transfers (moving from one surface to another) and independent bed mobility. Physical therapy can also help survivors regain the ability to walk and participate in beloved hobbies, even if this requires some modifications.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals maximize their functional independence. This often involves practicing activities of daily living and educating patients about disability rights, adaptive techniques, and potential risks associated with their condition.

Ultimately, recovery after left side brain damage focuses on highly repetitive, task-specific training that encourages the brain to make adaptive changes. Thousands of repetitions are required to promote neurological changes in the brain. Therefore, it’s essential for individuals to have hope, keep practicing, and trust in the process.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Constraint-induced movement therapy is a type of physical or occupational therapy that focuses on continuous use of the affected side. For individuals with hemiparesis on their right side, the left side of their body will be constrained to force use of the affected right side. The continuous use of the right side will help stimulate the brain and promote neuroplasticity.

Constraint-induced movement therapy continues to be supported by research as an effective intervention to improve use of an affected limb after neurological injury. This is generally a rather intensive form of therapy and typically focuses on improving affected upper extremity functions and performance of daily tasks.

Understanding Injury to the Left Hemisphere

Left side brain damage can affect a variety of skills including communication, motor function, and executive functions. Often, these skills can be improved by engaging neuroplasticity in the brain. This is accomplished by participating in rehabilitative therapies and practicing consistent repetitions of targeted exercises and activities.

We hope this article helped you understand the potential outcomes of left side brain damage and how to improve affected functions. Through repetition and consistency, all survivors of left side brain damage can improve their skills and abilities, even years after injury.

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