What Are the Different Treatments for Brain Injury?

Brain injury treatment can be complex. Unlike many physical injuries, a variety of treatment options are often used in tandem with each other to help individuals living with a brain injury thrive.

The road to recovery is sometimes a long one because the severity of a head injury is different for each person, and each individual can display different symptoms.

This can be confusing when you want to help a loved one during the recovery process. However, with the right care plans, a person with a brain injury can often recover and lead a fulfilling life.

Developing the right care plan begins with understanding how brain injuries are treated, but it also requires an understanding of which kind of brain injury your loved one might have.

• A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is commonly caused by a force, impact, or puncture of the head.
• A non-traumatic brain injury can be caused by a lack of oxygen or exposure to toxins.
• Both types of brain injuries are considered acquired brain injuries because they are not something a person is born having.

The care plan for a traumatic brain injury will likely look different than the one for a non-traumatic brain injury, so learning the difference is important.

So, what are the different treatments for brain injury?

Below, we’ll discuss some forms of treatment a qualified health care professional may recommend to you and your loved one for mild, moderate, and severe brain injury.

Treatment for a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

In many cases, the only treatment prescribed by a doctor is plenty of rest. Health care professionals may also prescribe medication to your loved one for headaches.

• It may not seem serious, but it’s important that your loved one considers rest as a part of the recovery process.
• Without adequate rest, it can take much longer to heal a mild traumatic brain injury.
• Your loved one should also refrain from spending too much time in front of screens or doing activities that require intense concentration.
• Reading fine print or working on a computer can slow the recovery process for a person living with a brain injury.

Even with a mild brain injury, actively listen to and watch your loved one for signs that they may be struggling.

Many individuals with a mild traumatic brain injury will recover in 7 to 14 days when rest recommendations are followed.

Treatment for a Moderate or Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

• Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries may have care plans that are more complex.
• In many cases, a combination of treatment methods is used to help an individual with a head injury on the road to recovery.
• Response to severe injuries begins with emergency care—this is to ensure enough oxygen and blood flow to the brain to prevent further injury.

Beyond emergency care, some of the treatment methods used at different stages of recovery are listed below.

Medications

Medications are prescribed by health care professionals to help treat various symptoms. Some are used immediately after injury, while others may be prescribed to your loved one long-term to support healing and reduce discomfort.

Medications used immediately after injury may include:

• Anti-seizure medication to combat and mitigate the effects of these seizures.
• Diuretics to help reduce pressure inside the brain.
• Coma-inducing medications to reduce the amount of oxygen the brain needs to function safely.

Some medications may also be used as part of a long-term recovery plan, depending on the symptoms your loved one may have, like:

• Anti-anxiety medication to combat any anxiousness, nervousness, or fear.
• Antidepressants to support mental wellness.

Rehabilitation

For a moderate or severe brain injury, complex care services like rehabilitation may play a large role in the recovery process. After emergency care, rehab in various forms is used to move from a focus on survival to getting back to living life.

Rehabilitation may begin in a hospital setting. However, in most cases, any therapy will continue at an outside location, such as an outpatient or residential treatment facility.

Here are some of the most common rehabilitation strategies used to treat symptoms of moderate and severe brain injury:

• Speech and language therapy to support rebuilding communication and swallowing skills.
• Physical therapy to develop strength, balance, flexibility, and other movement-related abilities.
• Occupational therapy to grow confidence and perform daily tasks independently again.
• Cognitive therapy to rebuild memory, learning, planning, and perception skills.

Your loved one may also work with a qualified physiatrist to oversee their care plan and recovery process. These health care professionals can prescribe medications that might be needed as treatment evolves.

How Sevita Supports Recovery

Sometimes, your loved one may require additional support outside of the home. A trusted care provider for short or long-term care at an outside facility can help your loved one rebuild the skills they need to thrive.

Our facilities offer professional support services to support every person’s unique care plan — from physical therapy to repair motor skills to occupational therapy to help your loved one grow their confidence.

Discover how we help serve individuals with brain injury by exploring our complex care services at the link below or by calling 800-743-6802.