Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

Anyone Can Be Affected

  • Each year, nearly 1.7 million people suffer some form of traumatic brain injury.
  • It’s estimated that every 16 seconds, a traumatic brain injury occurs.
  • There are currently over five million people who are living with disabilities caused by TBI.

These are startling and scary statistics. At TryMunity, we use these statistics not to scare, but to show that traumatic brain injuries can occur at any time and to anyone, and can change your life in an instant.

Causes of TBI

Traumatic brain injuries have a number of causes, but some of the most common include vehicle accidents and falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control:

  • Falls make up over 35% of all cases of TBI.
  • Motor vehicle accidents account for over 17% of TBI cases.
  • Repetitive trauma, found in contact sports such as football, account for over 16% of all cases of TBI.

Although these numbers are alarming, the fact is that many cases of TBI go unreported, especially when it comes to concussions.

Symptoms of TBI

Because no two cases of TBI are the same, no two people will experience the same symptoms.

In mild forms of TBI, victims may experience:

  • dizziness
  • lightheadedness
  • headaches
  • blurred vision

In severe cases of TBI, victims may experience:

  • memory loss
  • loss of motor functions
  • impaired speech
  • difficulty with cognitive functions
  • death, in some severe cases

Sadly, many people who suffer TBIs will require lifelong care, which can often put a strain on family members and loved ones.

There is Hope

At TryMunity, our online community is made up of people from all walks of life who have one thing in common—they’ve all been affected by brain injury.

Our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of our members through education, information, medical resources, and more. Our goal is to spread hope and raise awareness about TBI, and we invite you to read our stories of inspiration and share your own experiences with our community.

If you’re new to TBI, you may be facing some very tough questions and decisions, so we encourage you to view our frequently asked questions on brain injury. We also encourage you to reach out to other members through our social network to give and receive support.