What Are the Common Causes of Brain Damage?

Several causes of brain damage exist. They are categorized as either traumatic brain injuries or acquired brain injuries. Both types can affect the way the injured individual moves, thinks, and feels. It also is common for sensory perception and body functions to be affected. Injuries to the brain can also be caused by infectious diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals. The effects of brain damage can last a lifetime.

Traumatic brain injuries are the result of a direct hit to the head. Sudden movement within the skull separates nerve fibers in the brain, resulting in brain tissue damage. A few of the most common causes of brain damage of this type are automobile accidents, falls, and firearms. The elderly and young adults are at the highest risk for traumatic brain injury as well as the most susceptible to spinal cord injuries. Since there is no cure for traumatic brain injuries, it is best to take action to prevent them.

Acquired brain injuries occur after birth and are associated with pressure being placed on the brain. The causes of brain damage resulting from these injuries include heart attack, electrical shock, and meningitis. They do not include degenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Those with an acquired brain injury can show improvement 20 to 30 years after the injury.

Unlike a traumatic brain injury, it is possible to treat an acquired brain injury. Acute medical care is the first stage and may include emergency care or surgery for stabilization. The second and third stages of treatments prepare the individual with the injury to go back into the community. Long-term needs, such as self reliance, are a major part of treatment.

The overall severity of brain damage varies with the type of brain injury. Patients can become comatose or become minimally responsive if the causes of brain damage involve a lack of oxygen to the brain or a stroke. Exposure to toxic chemicals, including solvents, insecticides, and carbon monoxide, can damage neurons. Severe damage can also occur from surgical procedures to remove tumors from the brain.