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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffFollow these tips to reduce the risk of brain injury:
- Seat belts and airbags. Always wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle. Small children should always sit in the back seat of a car and be secured in child safety seats or booster seats that are appropriate for their size and weight.
- Alcohol and drug use. Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that can impair the ability to drive.
- Helmets. Wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, skateboard, motorcycle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle. Also wear appropriate head protection when playing baseball or contact sports, skiing, skating, snowboarding or riding a horse.
Preventing falls
The following tips can help older adults avoid falls around the house:
- Install handrails in bathrooms
- Put a nonslip mat in the bathtub or shower
- Remove area rugs
- Install handrails on both sides of staircases
- Improve lighting in the home
- Keep stairs and floors clear of clutter
- Get regular vision checkups
- Get regular exercise
Preventing head injuries in children
The following tips can help children avoid head injuries:
- Install safety gates at the top of stairs
- Keep stairs clear of clutter
- Install window guards to prevent falls
- Put a nonslip mat in the bathtub or shower
- Use playgrounds that have shock-absorbing materials on the ground
- Make sure area rugs are secure
- Don't let children play on fire escapes or balconies
References
- NINDS traumatic brain injury information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm. Accessed July 18, 2012.
- Heads up: Facts for physicians about mild traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/physicians_tool_kit.html. Accessed July 18, 2012.
- About brain injury. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/about-brain-injury.htm. Accessed July 20, 2012.
- Traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html. Accessed July 20, 2012.
- Hemphill JC. Epidemiology, classification, and pathophysiology. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 18, 2012.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding brain injury - Cranial nerve problems after brain injury. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2001.
- Champion HR, et al. Injuries from explosions: physics, biophysics, pathology and required research focus. The Journal of Trauma. 2009;66:1468.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding brain injury: A guide for the family. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2008.
- Living with brain injury. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/living-with-brain-injury.htm. Accessed July 23, 2012.
- Phan N, et al. Management of acute severe traumatic brain injury. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 18, 2012.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed July 24, 2012.
- Smith ER, et al. Evaluation and management of elevated intracranial pressure in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 24, 2012.
- Treatment. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/brain-injury-treatment.htm. Accessed July 25, 2012.
- Brown AW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 7, 2012.
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