Welcome to BrainCenter.org, your home for information on brain injuries. We're here to provide you with great resources on how to identify brain injuries, how to live with them, how to support loved ones affected by them, and more.

The Brain: How It Works

The brain’s many, many nerve cells control how we feel, move, and think. Learning a bit about the brain’s structure and function can help you understand what effects a brain injury can have.

What is a Brain Injury?

The brain is the body’s control center, for all cognitive and motor abilities. As you might expect, an injury to this neurological center can cause lasting damage to a person’s ability to function. If you are visiting this site, you probably have more detailed questions about brain injuries, especially if a friend or family member is suffering from one. There are many ways that the brain can sustain injury, and each injury can create unique impairment of physical and mental performance.

Brain Term Glossary

When learning about brain injuries, or any type of medical problem, you can expect to run into some medical terms that you might not be familiar with. Here are some common terms and definitions, with respect to brain injuries.

Strokes: A Common Brain Injury

Strokes are the number one cause of adult disability in the U.S. This very common brain injury can be experienced by people of all backgrounds; in fact, it is the number three cause of all deaths. Read on to learn what causes this brain injury, how to deal with the aftermath, and what you can do to lower your own risk factors for stroke.

Traumatic Brain Injury Information and Resources

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of brain injury that comes not from internal biological phenomena, but from an external injury to the head. Most of us have come into contact with someone who has experienced this type of injury, whether it be a concussion from a sports accident or a coma following a tragic car crash. What most people don’t know, however, is that traumatic brain injury is a real problem in the United States, with 1.7 million people experiencing a traumatic brain injury each year.

Tumors and Brain Injury

While less common than stroke, tumors are also a leading cause of brain injury. Much less is known about the cause of brain tumors than about stroke, however, and the available treatment options are less satisfactory. These out-of-control cell growths can put pressure on the brain and inhibit brain function, leading to various types of cognitive impairment.

A Brain Injury at Home: What to Expect

Unlike many other injuries, the most traumatic or trying parts of a brain injury aren’t necessarily over when the patient and their family leave the hospital. Brain injuries can affect many different parts of a person’s ability to function mentally and physically, over the long term. This sudden change of self, and the issues of identity that come with it, will manifest most strongly after the patient has come home and is trying to live a normal life. Here are some common areas of life that can be affected after a brain injury.

For Families Dealing with Brain Injuries

A brain injury can be particularly difficult for the loved ones of the injured. The nature of brain injuries means they come out of nowhere, hitting the family and friends of the injured unexpectedly. Suddenly, they must take on the role of caregiver, while also dealing with the grief that comes with having someone close to you be irreversibly hurt.

Developing a Partnership: Strategies for Coping

The family of a brain injured person should never feel like they have to take on the recovery process by themselves. It is important for them to recognize, however that they are by far the most important individuals involved in that recovery. They will be interacting with the patient the most and providing them with feedback and support. Here are some strategies for working with a brain injured loved one, to help speed their recovery and make things easier for the both of you.

Therapy Options for Those With Brain Injuries

While a brain injury can be a life-changing event, families should not feel that they are alone in helping their loved one. A number of health care professionals can aid in nearly every aspect of brain injury recovery.