Brain Injury

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by trauma to the head (head injury). There are many possible causes, including road traffic accidents, assaults, falls and accidents at home or work.

An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an injury caused to the brain since birth and includes traumatic brain injury as well as tumour, stroke, brain haemorrhage and encephalitis to name a few.

Every year approximately 200,000 people sustain a brain injury of some sort. The effects of the injuries are usually for life, therefore the number of people living with brain injury rises each year. The effects of brain injury are often devastating and can include physical disability, memory loss, speech problems and rapid mood changes but can often have no impact on life expectancy. For many, it is relatives who will become the main carers.

Prevalence

More than 13,000 people in Yorkshire and Humberside are admitted to hospital with head injuries every year. Approximately 65-70% of these admissions are for men.