What is an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?
It is the impairment of normal brain function due to neurological manipulation, such as: open or closed head injury (traumatic brain injury TBI), select cerebral vascular lesions (i.e., aneurysm, hemorrhage, brain stem stroke), hypoxic event (loss of oxygen .. i.e., near drowning), intracranial tumor, and select neurological diseases (i.e., encephalopathy). These are a few examples of how a brain injury is sometimes acquired, though this list is far from all-inclusive, as an acquired brain injury can come from a great number of sources. Most often, brain damage from congenital or genetic origins or birth trauma is not included within the standard definition of TBI. Neither are degenerative neurological diseases or disabilities stemming from mental illness. However, the definition of ABI and TBI will vary from organization to organization.
An acquired brain injury is a loss of brain function as a result of damage to the brain which occurs after birth. It refers to injuries to the brain caused by trauma such as from an external force, which may result in unconsciousness or a diminished or altered state of consciousness. CAUSES OF ABI The term Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers to those injuries to the brain caused by an external force. This may result from – • Motor Accidents • Sporting Accident • Assault Other conditions which may result in damage to the brain (Acquired Brain Injury) include – • Tumour • Stroke • Infection • Substance abuse • Medical mistake • Accidents The term Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) encompasses all injuries which occur to the brain after birth. HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? The effects of ABI can be temporary or permanent. The period of rehabilitation and the outcome of a brain injury will vary from person to person depending on the degree of damage that has occurred and the area or part of the brain af
