Brain stem injury: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Car or motor accidents, falls, and assaults can lead to severe head trauma and brain stem injury. The brain stem comprises three components. It includes the medulla oblongata, pons, and the midbrain. The brain stem not only controls critical bodily functions but also acts as the link between the rest of the brain and the spinal cord. It means any damage to the brain stem can affect other functions.

The brain stem is susceptible to injury because of its location and is often fatal. It affects the quality of life as brain stem injury can change the patients memory and personality. Also, damage to the brain stem can paralyze the person, and very few patients recover from severe injury.

The symptoms of brain stem injury include the following

A medical professional will conduct an imaging test, like an MRI scan, angiogram, or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Most times, brain stem injury results from swelling and inflammation from other severe head injuries. Swelling pushes the brain to stem against the hard covering known as the skull. This causes damage to the brain and stem. The likelihood of brain stem injury is high if the patient suffers from a diffuse axonal injury. It tears the brain cells in the medulla or pons. Some common effects of brain stem injury are as follows.

Full recovery chances are higher in those patients who make fast progress through the stages of consciousness.

Brain stem injuries cause fatal problems and need intensive treatment. The effective way to address the symptoms is to trigger neuroplasticity. There are various therapies patients can take to engage in neuroplasticity and recover function. Some of them include the following.

Brain stem injuries are more serious and treatment can be expensive. Recovery from this damage can take a long time. However, extended therapy and rehabilitation have helped many patients.

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Brain stem injury: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment