Discover key insights on brain injury prevention. Learn the differences between TBI and non-TBI, common causes like falls and sports injuries, and practical prevention tips.

Every March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. This is an important period in which extra attention is drawn to brain injuries and their impact on human life. Brain injuries can happen to anyone, young children, active athletes, the elderly and people with medical conditions. That is why it is essential to understand exactly what a brain injury is, what the causes are and how you can prevent it.

What is brain injury?

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• - Traumatic brain injury (TBI): a traumatic brain injury is caused by force or violence from outside, such as an accident or a fight. It involves a hard blow to the head. This can range from a concussion to a brain contusion. Sports injuries, cycling accidents and falls are common causes of TBI.
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• - Non-traumatic brain injury (non-TBI): a non-traumatic brain injury is caused by a disorder or disease within the body, such as a stroke, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, a tumor and other disorders. Non-TBI can be just as drastic as a TBI.
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• - Consequences for the body: headaches, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness.
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• - Consequences for thinking: difficulty remembering and concentrating, hypersensitivity to light and sound.
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• - Effects on mood: anxiety, worrying, gloom or depression, lack of emotion, quick to anger or irritation.
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What are the most common causes of brain injury?

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• - Falls: falls are a regular occurrence, especially among the elderly and children. The elderly can have balance problems or muscle weakness, while children often fall while playing.
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• - Sports accidents: contact sports such as soccer, boxing, rugby, hockey, skiing and other sports that require contact with another person can result in a sports accident. Recreational activities such as mountain biking or skateboarding can also lead to serious brain injury.
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• - Traffic accidents: brain injuries can be caused by the impact of a collision, even if a helmet is worn. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can all be at risk of brain injury due to a traffic accident.
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• - Work-related accidents: in professions where work is carried out at height or with machines, such as in the construction industry, there is an increased risk of head injury. For that reason it is important that safety regulations are observed in the construction industry.
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• - Medical conditions: strokes, cerebral hemorrhages and infections are important causes of non-TBI. These conditions can occur without warning and often have drastic consequences.
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How can you prevent a brain injury?

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• - Head protection: there are different types of helmets for different applications. Always choose the right helmet, because each helmet has its own functionality.
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  • 1. Sports helmets: wear a helmet when playing sports where a fall is possible. Use a bicycle helmet when you go cycling, a boxing helmet when you go boxing and a rugby helmet when you play rugby.
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  • 2. Safety helmets: wear a safety helmet when you work in construction or in other jobs where there is a higher risk of brain injury. Debris or other materials can fall on your head and cause a head injury.
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  • 3. Medical helmets: Ribcap is the perfect solution to protect you during a daily fall. These fashionable helmets offer 360° head protection and are comfortable to wear all day long thanks to the breathable fabrics. The helmets make you shine, give you a confident feeling and are not stigmatizing. Ribcap helmets are ideal for people with an increased risk of falling, such as people with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, autism, balance problems and other neurological disorders.
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• - Walkers or rollators: for the elderly or people with mobility problems, a walker offers a perfect solution. Rollz walkers are multifunctional. This innovative solution offers both stability and comfort.
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• - Anti-slip: anti-slip mats, anti-slip socks and numerous other anti-slip products can help prevent falls in the home.
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• - Modifications to the home: you can always make a few modifications to your home to prevent a fall. For example: ensure a flat surface, install handrails and handles in the right place, provide sufficient lighting and ensure there is enough walking space between furniture.
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Conclusion