War Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Nearly 25% of combat injuries are traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. These are the most common war-related injuries. While improved body armor and Kevlar helmets lessen injuries, they cannot protect the face, frontal region of the head, and certain areas of the spine. More soldiers are surviving, but some with the long-term effect of a brain injury. Combat related brain injuries are multifaceted. When a bomb or IED explodes, a blast wave is produced, causing concussion. This blast is followed by what is referred to as a “secondary wind”, the air that was displaced by the blast rushes back to fill the void left by the blast. A soldier may not even realize that he or she has suffered a brain injury. Often it is family members who notice and bring the injury to the survivor’s attention.