Advocacy group urges caution after rise in traumatic brain injuries

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized with traumatic brain injuries, and according to the CDC, 190 people died every day from head injuries in 2021. Shockingly, statistics show that men are more likely to be hospitalized and die from these injuries. In light of these concerning trends, an advocacy group is issuing a warning to not ignore any blow to the head, regardless of how insignificant it may seem.

Scott Powell, the executive director of the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, shed light on the various ways traumatic brain injuries occur, including motor vehicle accidents, acts of violence, and falls. Powell himself has experienced head injuries twice, once losing consciousness while riding an ATV without a helmet.

“Back in those days we just called it getting your bell rung,” Powell recalled, reflecting on the past lax attitude towards head injuries.

Speaking about the importance of recognizing potential symptoms, Powell stated, “Anything that seems like a deviation of the normal that could tie back to something cognitive, whether it be your memory, your speech, your vision, your smell, your taste. You’re going to know what those changes would be, and that would be an indication that something may be going on that you need to have checked out.”

Powell stressed the significance of seeking help promptly, emphasizing, “The sooner you can get with someone, the better the long-term outcome is always going to be.”

“The recovery from  [brain injury]  often takes a long time and sadly is often incomplete,” Powell explained, likening the process to a marathon. “So, it’s everything from helping someone figure out how to modify their home to actually either if they’re caring for someone with a brain injury or if they’re living independently with their brain injury, how to modify their home to be a safe environment.”

Powell urged anyone who suspects they may be living with a brain injury to reach out for support. “The worst thing in the world for us is to think that there’s somebody living with a brain injury that doesn’t feel like they have the support that they need,” he emphasized.

For those in need of assistance, the Alabama Head Injury Foundation can be contacted through their website or by phone, providing a lifeline of support for individuals living with brain injuries.

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.