Institutes Of Health is proud support Brain Injury Awareness Month and stand with the concussion community to break down stigma and empower those who have survived traumatic brain injuries. Each week in March, we raised awareness for one of the most common, yet least understood, forms of injury-related disability, a traumatic brain injury. 

WEEK 5: Did you know at least 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) per year? Concussion is the most common form, and yet least understood type of TBI. It can affect anyone at any age and symptoms are consistent between demographics. Brain fog, short term memory loss, decreased reaction speed and balance deficits, visual impairment, irritability, fatigue and sleep disturbance are common symptoms of concussion. Learning the signs and symptoms of concussion and when to seek medical care can alter the process of brain injury. Understanding the needs of those effected can greatly improve individual outcomes. It is important to remember that brain injury victims are not defined by his or her injury. Each injury affects a person differently and awareness of how to support and treat the injury requires education, understanding and patience.