Introduction traumatic brain injury (TBI)

 Traumatic brain injury is a brain injury caused by sudden trauma to the head. When an object penetrates the covering of the head and enters the brain tissue, or when the head suddenly and sharply hits an object, this can result in traumatic brain injury. Not every head injury results in TBI. A few types of traumatic brain injury can lead to problems that are transient with normal functioning of the brain, and some serious traumatic brain injury might cause indefinite destruction to the body. Depending upon whether the injury leads to loss of consciousness, its duration, and the seriousness of the person’s symptoms, TBI may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

It is important to know about TBI because it can affect anyone’s daily routine activity and social behaviour.

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a nervous condition in which some parts of the brain, body, or nervous system get affected over a long period of time. It is a brain disorder that causes accidental or unconstrained movements, such as shivering, rigidity, and challenges with stability and coordination. This gradual condition is getting worse over time.

People with Parkinson’s may have problems with movement, walking, talking, speaking, sleep disorders, depression, and muscle pain. Hence, it is essential to know about this disease. 

Causes traumatic brain injury

• Sudden falls
• The head is injured by vehicle crashes
• If any sharp objects, like knives, bullets, weapons, hammers, or sharp fragments, penetrate the bone tissue
• During natural calamities, blasts some hard objects hit the head or sharp objects penetrate into the brain

Parkinson’s disease

• In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in some parts of the brain produce less dopamine. This reduction in dopamine means the brain part that controls movement can no longer function properly, resulting in slow and abnormal movements
• Faulty genes and pollution like genetic and environmental factors could be the reason for Parkinson’s disease, but it's still under research
• Drug-induced Parkinson's might be caused after taking antipsychotic drugs, but symptoms will improve once the medication stops
• Parkinson’s symptoms can be caused by progressive supranuclear palsy - NHS,  Corticobasal degeneration-like brain conditions
• Cerebrovascular diseases like strokes could be the reason for Parkinson’s disease, where parts of the brain get damaged

Symptoms 

Traumatic brain injury

• If the injury is severe, then immediate symptoms and if it's moderate, then symptoms might occur after some days or weeks
• Symptoms may include physical, sensory, and mental, and symptoms might appear different in children
• Headache, difficulty in body balancing, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in talking, confusion, loss of consciousness, difficulty in sleeping, or alteration in sleep pattern
• Difficulty in focusing, concentration, irritation, difficulty hearing, feelings of depression, seizures, and weakness
• A severe injury may cause symptoms like coma and brain death
• Signs in children are changes in behaviour, unable to focus, difficulty talking, walking, balancing, unable to give a response, difficulty learning new things, becoming cranky

Parkinson’s disease

• Slowness in the movement, also called bradykinesia. Unable to balance the body
• Shaking hands, and legs, also called Tremor or shaking hands - NHS
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Lack of concentration
• Difficulty talking or walking
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Alteration in sleeping pattern
• Loss of flexibility in muscles
• Emotional instability
• Drooling of saliva
• Muscle pain
• A person might develop dementia or memory loss in the later stages
• Loss of control over urination
• Constipation
• Prone to skin infections, itchy or dry skin

Diagnosis 

Traumatic brain injury

• Mild cases can be diagnosed with physical symptoms or any sudden behavioural changes. If any changes are observed by the physician, then further investigations can be done as early as possible
• The person might be asked to follow some directions, eye, and limb movements, and patterns of speech by the doctor, and this can be an important diagnosis and severity of the injury
• If the injury is severe, then there might be internal bleeding or clots or any fractures or swelling in the brain; in such cases, a CT (computerized tomography) scan is needed
• If treatment doesn’t make the person feel better but they are not getting worse, an MRI can help figure out what’s wrong. MRI uses strong radio waves to provide a detailed view of the brain. Doctors can perform intracranial pressure monitoring by inserting a probe through the skull and find out if there is any swelling occurred because of brain injury

Parkinson’s disease

• A doctor can diagnose Parkinson's disease based on a person’s physical examination, medical history, and signs and symptoms
• At the initial stage, diagnosis of  Parkinson’s could be difficult because symptoms are generally not so profound
• If a diagnosis can’t be made based on symptoms, then the doctor may ask for a DAT scan, which is a single photon emission computerized tomography SPECT) called a dopamine transporter scan
• Usually, it takes time to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; the doctor may ask for regular appointments and observe the disorder of movements
•  In some cases, MRI and PET scans can be done to rule out the diagnosis of the disease

Treatment

Traumatic brain injury

• Mild TBI can be treated with medications such as diuretics, which help to reduce the fluid accumulated in the brain tissues.
• If a person is having pain, then analgesics can be given to reduce the pain.
• A person with TBI may develop symptoms like seizures; in such cases, anticonvulsants can be given to reduce further harm.
• In some severe cases, surgeons may perform open or closed brain surgery to remove the faulty or damaged part of the brain, but this is a very crucial part of the treatment. Hence, before performing such surgeries, surgeons may have good knowledge of the case and its further consequences.
• For rehabilitation, physical therapy, chiropractors, and osteopaths might help the person along with medicines and surgery.
• Acupuncture and regular exercise might help people with TBI to reduce the symptoms.
• Psychological counselling, cognitive therapy, and enough rest might help to reduce further symptoms of TBI.

Parkinson’s disease

• There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but medicines, surgery, and therapy can help to lower the symptoms and improve routine activities.
• The first line of medicine for Parkinson’s is levodopa, along with carbidopa, which increases the level of dopamine, which helps to control involuntary movements, and carbidopa reduces the side effects of the levodopa like low blood pressure, vomiting, etc.
• For tremors and muscle stiffness, anticholinergics can be used.
• Yoga, regular exercise, physiotherapy, and speech therapy can also be useful to resume daily activities. It can enhance balance and coordination.
• Listening to good music and having a healthy diet may help the person to live happily.

Research and future outcomes

Traumatic brain injury

• Emergency departments, gymnastics, or sports fields can be occupied with developing rapid, noninvasive diagnostic tools
• For monitoring patients continuously and providing proper data on brain function and its recovery process, personalized or wearable technology can be used
• Development of more advanced rehabilitation programs using modern virtual technology
• Implementation of programs that can ensure that patients get constant care, support, and resources, which results in normal well-being
• Development of efficient rehabilitation techniques based on their specific injuries and needs

Parkinson’s disease

• Development of early and accurate diagnostic techniques for early detection before occurrence of any involuntary symptoms
• Advanced technology in genetic or tissue engineering can repair damaged brain parts
• Use of personalized technology, which can give real-time data of the symptoms and disease progression
• Based on patient needs, enhanced rehabilitation sessions can be given
• More focus on improving patient's symptoms by giving mental and psychiatric care

Summary

Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden push or hit to the head interferes with normal brain function. Sudden falls, vehicle accidents, and injuries to the head during any sport can result in traumatic brain injury. Depending upon the severity of the injury, symptoms can be mild, like a temporary loss of consciousness, to severe, like coma, or memory loss. Physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychological support to the patient, along with medicines are needed to improve the patient's condition and normal routine.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that slowly affects the brain which results in slow movement. Shaking hands and legs, stiffness of muscles, confusion, difficulty in walking, talking, swallowing, and mood changes are the typical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. There is a loss of some brain cells that are important for the production of dopamine; this chemical is responsible for the movement. Parkinson’s can’t be cured, but medicines, physical therapy, emotional support, surgery, counselling, and a balanced diet can help to improve symptoms and well-being.

FAQs

Can a traumatic brain injury get worse over time?

With delayed medical treatment, generally found that moderate to severe injuries can get worse over time.

Does a person recover from a traumatic brain injury?

Depending upon the type and severity of the injury, a person can recover immediately or after some days, weeks, or months, or it might take years to recover.

Is a traumatic brain injury considered a disability?

Mild or moderate injuries might cause short-term problems, and a person regains ability after effective treatment, but severe forms of injuries may cause permanent disability like memory loss, coma, or brain death.

What usually causes death in people with parkinson’s?

Aspirational pneumonia is the most common cause of death in people with Parkinson’s. In which accidentally person inhales food or drink instead of swallowing,  and it causes lung infection.

Can a person stop parkinson’s if detected at an early stage?

However, Parkinson’s is a noncurable disease. If the disease is detected early, a person can get a proper course of treatment, and most people with Parkinson’s live life normally and actively.

What is meant by the term parkinson’s stare?

In Parkinson’s, declining dopamine can stop the normal function of facial muscles and restrict the facial expressions a person usually has. There are limitations on the blinking of eyelids, which looks like a blank expression, and that’s why it is called  Parkinson’s stare.