Health officials said over ten-thousand people in Michigan are expected to be hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries this year. They said TBIs have resulted in over 1,500 deaths in the past three years.
Lynn Sutfin is a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She said September is TBI awareness month.
“TBIs can affect anyone but particularly the elderly or the young. They have balance issues, they fall a little easier and they can strike their head,” she said. “TBIs occur in car accidents, they occur in sports, and they can even happen if your own home.”
More information on making your home safer from TBI can be found here.
Sutfin said the first step to TBI prevention is checking your own home for small hazards that could cause falls that could result in a head injury.
“The helmets, the seat belt, car seats, and just looking around your home and looking for tripping hazards.,” she said. “Particularly if you have older adults at home, that those are just some things you can do to help prevent TBIs.”
Sutfin said TBIs are most commonly caused by falling, and motor vehicle and sports-related accidents.
She also said the injury has similar signs and symptoms to a concussion.
“If you're having issues with balance, or headaches, or you’re having cognitive issues,” Sutfin said. “When your brain is not functioning properly, very similar to what people hear about concussions. Headaches, vision issues, dizziness.”
Sutfin said TBIs can affect anyone but cases tend to be higher among elderly and young people. She says the prevention tips are available at this link.