Terms

Acquire Brain Injury (ABI)

·   those caused by strokes and other vascular accidents

·   tumours

·   infectious diseases e.g. encephalitis and other degenerative diseases

·   hypoxia, anoxia, drowning

·   metabolic disorders e.g. liver disease

·   toxic products taken into the body through inhalation or ingestion e.g recreational drugs

Aneurysm:  A weakening in an artery wall where the artery balloons out.

Aneurysm Ruptured:  Due to an increase in blood pressure,  a blow to the region the aneurysm is located or simply by continued ballooning of the wall the artery bursts.

Outcome varies:  In the case of a brain aneurysm rupturing oxygen critical to the brain’s survival is compromised.  The part of the brain that the ruptured artery fed oxygen rich blood to is effectively cut and that part of the brain dies within 4 to 6 minutes.  The outcome can be minor in nature to serious causing instant death to the patient.

Arterio-Venous Malformation:  A cluster of poorly formed arteries and veins.  This usually is formed in uterus and is known as a congenital or birth defect.

EEG (ElectroencEphaloGram)

Brain Scan

X-Ray

Cat Scam

MRI

Stroke: The rupture, blockage or hardening of the arteries blocking circulation to parts of the brain.  Nerve Cells in the affected region die having direct impact on the areas of the body those cells were responsible for.  The rupturing of and artery (see Aneurysm) is one form of stroke.  A second form is called an embolism where a blood clot travels from one area of the body and lodges in the brain blocking blood flow to a specific region of the brain.  Arterio-atherosclerosis or thrombosis is the narrowing or complete blockage in a specific region of the brain.  So rupturing, narrowing or blood clot of arteries can cause a stroke.  Slurred speech, hemiphlegia (paralysis of one side of the body) severe head ache and or death are just some of the results caused by stroke.

Coma

Neurosurgeon: A doctor that specializes in brain and spinal surgery.      

Neuropsychologist. 

Neurologist: A doctor that specializes in diagnosing neurological disorders and refers the patient to the appropriate sources for treatment.

GP:  General Practioner:  A family physician who examines a person and diagnoses multiple disorders and redirects or refers the patient to the appropriate specialists who can then treat the patient for his/her condition(s)

Frontal Lobe

Left and Right Parietal Lobe

Right and Left Temporal Lobe

Occipital Lobe

Intra Venous Drip

Angiogram

Femoral Artery

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)  Traumatic brain injuries occur from any external force to the region of the neck and head.  The causes range from Motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence, sports, electrical shock, lightning strikes, whiplash, shaking baby syndrome, and any blow to the head.