Frequently Asked Questions

The brain is the body’s control center and if damaged, will suffer serious consequences. A blow to the skull, penetration of the skull, diseases or infection, lack of oxygen to the brain and substance abuse can all lead to brain injury.

Brain injury affects every segment of the population. Acquired brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under 35 years of age...ten times more common than spinal cord injuries. Each year an estimated 34,000 Canadians are injured severely enough to require hospitalization. In Alberta, there are more than 10,000 new cases of brain injury annually, half of which are strokes. The most affected are young males, 18-35 years old.

Brain injuries can affect every aspect of an individual’s being - physical, cognitive, social and emotional. Physical symptoms are visible and definable but the cognitive, emotional and social are often invisible and may have a greater impact on the individual and family.

Brain injury can result in the following:

  • Physical Impairments - altered speech, vision and hearing, headaches, decreased coordination, fatigue, spasticity, paralysis, seizure disorders.

  • Cognitive Impairments - problems with short-term and long-term memory, slowed thinking, decreased attention span, altered reading and writing abilities, difficulties with planning, sequencing, and judgment.

  • Emotional/Behavioral Impairments - decreased control over emotions (excess laughing or crying), depression, mood swings, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, decreased motivation, decreased insight into social situations, decreased ability to relate to other people and inability to self-monitor behavior.

The healing process is as unique as the individual. Prevention is the best cure for brain injuries. “Brain safety” activities include wearing seat belts, helmets when riding bicycles or playing sports, not drinking and driving, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, avoiding violent/high risk situations, adhering to workplace safety procedures and living a healthy lifestyle.

Prevention is the best outcome!