Brain injury is more common than you may think.  The charity Headway estimates that each year 1 million people visit A&E departments with head injuries of which 135,000 are admitted for treatment.  About 10% of head injuries are classified as ‘moderate’ and 5% as ‘severe’.  Approximately 500,000 people in the UK currently live with disabilities resulting from a brain injury.

The brain is very fragile and easily damaged in the event of a head injury.  This damage may affect just one area of the brain or it can affect more than one region.

Symptoms

Brain injury affects everyone differently but common symptoms include:

• Loss of speech and/or memory
• Difficulty with concentration, walking, balance and co-ordination
• Weakness or paralysis
• Speed of thought
• Memory loss
• Changes in emotional reaction and behaviour
• Altered sense of smell, taste, touch.