Learning to Read Again After Brain Injury: How to Improve Pure Alexia

Survivors may experience pure alexia after brain injury, which involves difficulty with reading. This usually occurs when a brain injury affects the posterior left hemisphere of the brain. While learning to read again after brain injury can be challenging, it is possible to improve pure alexia. Speech-language pathologists (SLP) and occupational therapists (OTs) are excellent resources for a proper diagnosis and guidance. This article will discuss some of the most effective methods and strategies to help survivors regain the ability to read and boost recovery. How a Brain Injury Can Affect the Ability to Read The posterior left hemisphere of the brain is responsible...

Fatigue After Brain Injury: Why It Occurs and How to Overcome It

Extreme fatigue after brain injury is a common but frustrating problem for many TBI survivors. Not only can it make everyday activities more challenging to perform, but it can also interfere with rehabilitation outcomes. Fortunately, there are effective ways to reduce fatigue after brain injury and improve your quality of life. Causes of Fatigue After Brain Injury Fatigue is one of the most long-lasting and common effects of brain injury. In fact, up to 73% of individuals report fatigue up to 5 years after sustaining their injury. Various factors can contribute to increased fatigue after TBI. One reason fatigue is so prevalent is because, in the early...

Traumatic Brain Injury Involuntary Movements: Causes, Types, and Treatment

Traumatic brain injury involuntary movements occur when the communication between the brain and the muscles is disrupted. There are various types of post traumatic movement disorders that can develop depending on the area and severity of the injury, such as tremors, dystonia, or tics. This article will discuss the causes of TBI involuntary movements, the different types, and how to find the best treatment. Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury Involuntary Movements A traumatic brain injury can disrupt the communication between the brain and the body. Without proper communication, the muscles are unable to receive signals from the brain and respond accordingly, which can...

Foot Drop After TBI: Understanding the Causes, Signs, & Treatment Options

Foot drop after TBI refers to the inability to lift the front portion of the foot, a movement known as dorsiflexion. While foot drop can be associated with multiple conditions, foot drop after TBI is caused by a disruption in communication between the areas of the brain responsible for movement and the muscles involved in ankle movement. When the brain cannot send the appropriate signals to the muscles to lift your foot, foot drop may occur. Individuals with foot drop have difficulty walking and safely navigating daily activities. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to help improve foot drop after...

Aggressive Behavior After Brain Injury: Causes, Triggers, & Coping Mechanisms

Causes of Aggressive Behavior After Brain Injury After a head injury, survivors can experience a variety of secondary effects. Depending on the areas of the brain affected, these effects can be physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral. One area of the brain that is frequently associated with behavioral changes after TBI is the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe plays a crucial role in reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse control, all of which are necessary for regulating one’s behavior. When the frontal lobe sustains damage, it can impair behavioral skills, leading to aggressive and irrational behavior. Studies show that 30% of frontal lobe injury survivors experience aggressive behavior. It most commonly appears...