Traumatic Brain Injury: Treatment
Prompt treatment is critical with traumatic brain injury, since a patient will continue to sustain damage well after the trauma occurs. The quicker the response time, the better the outcome.

Treatment must focus first on primary brain damage, damage that is said to be complete at the time of impact, and then secondary brain damage, damage that evolves over a period of hours to days after the trauma occurs.

The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) identifies the following guidelines for treating severe primary brain damage:

• Quick recognition that a TBI has occurred.
• Appropriate treatment in the ambulance.
• Rapid transport to a Level I Trauma Center.
• Brain pressure monitoring in the intensive care unit.
• Treatment to maintain enough blood and oxygen to the brain.

The treatment program for secondary damage will vary depending on the stage of recovery and the extent of the damage. During the early stages (e.g., during coma), treatment at an intensive care unit of a hospital focuses on provoking sensory stimulation. As the patient grows increasingly aware of his or her surroundings, the patient care team will develop an individualized course of treatment. This program will be tailored exclusively to the patient’s specific needs and may include a combination of some or all of the following therapies:

• Physical therapy.
• Occupational therapy (learning skills for the activities of daily living).
• Speech/language therapy.
• Physiatric therapy (rehabilitation medicine).
• Psychological therapy and social support.
  

The overall goal treatment is to improve the TBI survivor’s ability to function at home and in society and in so doing improve his or her quality life.