Acquired brain injury or head injury are terms used to describe all types of brain injury that occurred after birth (i.e. not congenital). Acquired brain injury affects each person differently. The impairments people experience will depend on which part of the brain has been affected and the amount of damage sustained. Impairments can be physical or cognitive and temporary or permanent.
Other types of acquired brain injury
Types of brain injury, other than traumatic brain injury, include:
- alcohol or drug related acquired brain injury
- anoxic/hypoxic brain injury
- stroke.
Alcohol or drug related acquired brain injury
Alcohol or drug related acquired brain injury occurs when use of these substances has led to brain damage as a result of dehydration and shrinkage of brain cells.
Anoxic/hypoxic brain injury
Anoxic/hypoxic brain injury refers to the total lack of oxygen (anoxia) or diminished lack of oxygen (hypoxia) to the brain. Oxygen is vital for brain functioning, as it is used to metabolise glucose, which provides energy to brain cells, keeping them alive. Therefore, the lack of oxygen can damage brain cells and can lead to problems with cognition, emotions and movement.
Generally, injury sets in after a lack of oxygen to the brain for approximately 3-4 minutes and as with traumatic brain injury, anoxic/hypoxic brain injury may occur along a spectrum from mild to severe.
Stroke
Stroke refers to a lack of blood supply to part of the brain. Nutrients and oxygen are provided to brain cells via arteries and if these become blocked, bleed or break then the brain tissue deteriorates. There are several types of strokes including:
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aneurysm—localised swelling of blood vessel caused by disease, congenital weakness or the blood vessel or injury
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haemorrhage—when an aneurysm bursts and bleeding occurs.
The effects of a stroke vary considerably depending on the severity (i.e. extent of blood supply shortage) and part of the brain affected.
For more information on stroke, visit:
Symptoms and characteristics
Symptoms vary considerably depending on where the damage has occurred as well as the severity of the damage, however the more general effects relevant to the workplace include:
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difficulty learning new things
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difficulty understanding things
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lack of motivation
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less organised
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memory/concentration problems
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more easily fatigued
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poor social skills
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prone to stress
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trouble solving problems and lack of insight
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weakness or paralysis of muscles
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coordination problems.
Workplace adjustments and modifications
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Brain Injury Association of Queensland 2006, Fact sheets, Brain Injury Association of Queensland, Brisbane, viewed 22 February 2007, <http://www.biaq.com.au/factsheets.htm>.
MayoClinic 2006, Stroke, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, US, viewed 22 February 2007, <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150/DSECTION=4>.
MeritCare 2007, Types of ABI, MeritCare Health System, Fargo, viewed 16
February, 2007,<http://www.meritcare.com/specialties/rehab/brain/abi/>.
Wodonga TAFE and Aware Industries 2006, Work Talk – Effective Workplace Communication with Employees with Acquired Brian Injury, Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Sydney.