Treating damage and disease in the CNS - Higher
Brain damage is any loss of cells in the brain. This is often because of injuries such as car crashes when a person’s head hits an object with a great force. The extent of the injury depends upon many factors including:
- the force of impact
- the size or shape of the object hitting the skull
- the position the object hits the skull
- the time it takes for treatment
Other causes include strokes, consumption of excessive alcohol and brain tumours. Sadly many brain injuries are fatal. Longer-term symptoms of brain damage include speech or movement problems, reduced coordination, memory loss and personality changes.
Often impacts to the skull result in the brain swelling as it produces excessive fluid. Brain surgery may be needed to remove a tumour or excess fluid, such as blood. All surgery carries a level of risk, but due to the complexity and delicacy of the brain, investigating and treating brain disorders can be very difficult. If surgery is undergone more damage or side-effects may be created, which could affect the patients' quality of life. Serious considerations about the risks involved against the benefits need to be undertaken first. Physiotherapists play a very important role helping with the rehabilitation of patients with brain damage.