Many people suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), but you would never know that. Even immediately after the injury, many people who sustain a TBI do not have a visible wound that people -- even doctors -- can see.

The problem with the relative invisibility of the injury is that it makes diagnosis more difficult. Because people with TBI may look "normal," their injuries all too often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This is why some call TBI the "silent epidemic."

Nationwide, nearly two million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, and the numbers appear to be on the rise. So why are so many people getting TBIs?

There are many ways, but car accidents are the most common cause. Falls and collision sports injuries in contact sports like football and hockey are other common causes. Those particularly at risk are the very young and the very old.

Another common way some people sustain TBIs is through a concussion event in battle, where soldiers are exposed to rockets, bombs and explosions. In fact, veterans  in Iraq and Afghanistan are frequent victims of TBI, with as many as 10 to 20 percent of soldiers in those theaters of war affected with traumatic brain injuries.

The following are some of the signs and symptoms that can accompany a TBI:

  • Vision impairments
  • Speech impairments
  • Memory loss
  • Problems with comprehension and processing information
  • Inability to work or go to school
  • Strained family relationships

One of the most difficult things for people suffering with TBI is that they do not always have the support they need to recover and live with their disability. However, with support, people suffering from TBI many times can live an independent life.

Ohio residents who are suffering from TBI should know that there are experts who can properly diagnose your condition and can help you receive the medical care and financial help you need to lead as independent a life as possible. 

Source: The Californian.com, "Soapbox: Monterey County traumatic brain injury needs are rising," Elsa Quezada