The term Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is often used interchangeably with the terms head injury and traumatic brain injury. ABI more specifically refers to a branch of TBI. An ABI results from damage to the brain, caused by strokes, tumors, anoxia (condition in which the body receives no oxygen), hypoxia (condition where the body as a whole or just a region is deprived from oxygen), toxins, degenerative diseases, near drowning, and any other conditions not necessarily brought on by an external force.
Those who are at highest risk for TBI
� Males are 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI
� Age groups 0-4 and 15-19
� Certain military duties (paratrooper)
� African Americans have the highest death rate from TBI
Long Term
5.3 Million Americans currently have long term/ lifelong needs for help as a result of a TBI. 40% of those hospitalized with a TBI need at least one of the following services after one year. Help with improving memory and problem solving, managing stress and emotional upsets, controlling one�s temper and improving one�s job skills.