Learn About Brain Injuries

A woman sits on a chair inside a medical imaging room with advanced equipment surrounding her. A technician stands nearby, reviewing images on a screen. The room has a wood-patterned floor and dim lighting.

What is a brain injury?

Brain injuries affect how a person thinks, feels, and functions. They can result from accidents, strokes, or other medical events — and no two experiences are the same.

Understanding what a brain injury is, how it occurs, and what recovery can look like empowers individuals and families to make confident, informed decisions about care.

Types of brain injuries

Brain injuries are primarily categorized into:

  1. Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Caused by an external force disrupts normal brain function. Falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults, and blows to the head are common causes.
  2. Non-traumatic/acquired brain injury (NTBI/ABI): Caused by internal medical causes, such as strokes, brain tumors, infections, oxygen deprivation, or aneurysms.
Types of Brain Injuries

Brain injury facts and statistics

5.3 million

More than 5 million people are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability.

Brain Injury Association of America

2.8 million

Every year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a TBI.

Brain Injury Association of America

50%

Nearly half of TBIs are caused by falls.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Understanding the brain and how injury affects it

The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS), which controls how we move, think, feel, and function.

Key brain structures

The brain is divided into three primary regions, each with specific roles:

  • Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher-level functions such as thinking, memory, voluntary movement, and sensory processing. It is divided into two hemispheres.
  • Cerebellum: Located at the back of the brain, it controls balance, coordination, and fine motor skills, enabling smooth and precise movements.
  • Brainstem: Connecting the brain to the spinal cord, the brainstem regulates automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

Brain hemispheres

The cerebrum is split into two hemispheres, each specializing in different tasks while working together to control the body.

  • Left hemisphere: Controls movement on the right side of the body, reasoning, language, and number skills.
  • Right hemisphere: Controls movement on the left side of the body, creativity, spatial awareness, and imagination.
This illustration of a human brain, with labeled sections—frontal lobe (pink), parietal lobe (green), temporal lobe (purple), and occipital lobe (blue)—serves as a detailed guide to understanding what areas might be affected in the event of a brain injury.

Lobes of the brain

Each brain hemisphere has four sections, called lobes, each with specialized roles:

  • Frontal lobe: Motor functions, memory, judgment, and behavior
  • Parietal lobe: Sensations and spatial awareness
  • Temporal lobe: Language, emotions, and memory
  • Occipital lobe: Vision processing

Causes and risk factors of brain injury

Brain injuries can result from:

  • Falls (leading cause of TBI)
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Sports injuries
  • Assaults
  • Medical events (e.g., strokes, aneurysms, infections)

Risk factors include age, certain medical conditions, substance use, and unsafe environments.

Brain injuries can manifest in a range of symptoms, some appearing immediately, others developing over time. Recognizing these symptoms is vital for seeking appropriate medical care.

Common signs of brain trauma include:

  • Persistent or worsening headache
  • Difficulty coordinating balance
  • Vision problems
  • Seizures
  • Changes in sensory perception
  • Trouble speaking and swallowing
  • Personality changes
  • Difficulty forming sentences or choosing vocabulary
  • Confusion
  • Trouble communicating
  • Difficulty with reason, focus, and logic
  • Memory impairments

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild brain injuries, also known as concussions, may cause temporary symptoms and typically resolve on their own. Moderate to severe brain injuries can have long-lasting effects and may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Diagnosing a brain injury involves evaluating both physical and cognitive function. Providers may use:

  • Neurological examinations
  • Imaging such as CT scans or MRI
  • Cognitive and neuropsychological testing
  • Observation over time to monitor symptoms

Accurate diagnosis is essential for determining severity, guiding treatment, and planning rehabilitation.

More on Brain Injury Assessment

The impact of brain injury on daily life

A brain injury can result in a variety of challenges that may affect multiple aspects of daily life, both in the short- and long-term. These challenges can be grouped into cognitive function, physical function, sensation, emotion, and behavior.

This table outlines the categories and areas impacted by brain injury. The first column lists four categories: Cognitive Function, Physical Function, Sensation, and Emotion and Behavior. The second column lists the specific areas affected within each category.
Category Areas impacted
Cognitive function Memory, attention, processing speed, problem-solving, language
Physical function Strength, coordination, swallowing, bowel and bladder control
Sensation Hearing, vision, sensation, body awareness, smell
Emotion and behavior Depression, anxiety, irritability/anger, impulse control, personality changes
A man and a woman sit on a large blue mat in a rehabilitation center, facing a large screen. The man is holding a wand, interacting with the screen. Shelves with books are in the background, and a wheelchair is nearby.

Brain injury treatment at Shepherd

Recovery often involves physical, occupational, and speech therapy — all aimed at helping you regain skills and improve daily life.

We understand the significance of accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for brain injuries. Our dedicated team is committed to providing the highest quality care and support throughout the recovery process.

Guiding you in choosing the right brain injury treatment center

Selecting the right facility for your brain injury rehabilitation is crucial to your recovery. To help you make an informed decision, here is key information to know when considering rehabilitation centers for you or your loved one.

Choosing a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center

Brain injury recovery and outlook

Your experience with brain injury is unique, and the effects may evolve as you work through rehabilitation and adjust to life after the injury.

Living with a brain injury can present significant challenges, but there are ways to adapt and improve quality of life, such as ongoing therapy, exercise, support resources, preventative measures, and managing symptoms.

Thanks to modern treatments, assistive devices, and specialized rehabilitation programs, you can adapt and overcome the challenges you face, helping you live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Life After Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Living with Brain Injury

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