Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect nearly three million people in the United States every year. Assessing the severity of a TBI is challenging. A number of diagnostic tests are run to determine how the brain has been affected and what can be done to help the patient recover. Common tests include the Glasgow Coma Scale, speech and language testing, CT scans, MRIs, and intracranial pressure monitoring.

Head injuries should never be taken lightly. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you believe you’ve sustained any type of head or brain injury. To understand the defining factors of a traumatic brain injury, let’s take a look at how the injuries happen, the common types, the effects, and what recovery may look like.