Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI)

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Mild Traumatic brain injury Mild Traumatic brain injury (MTBI) a condition that occurs in war fighters as a result of being in the path of a blast wave from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) or road side bomb, a tactic used all too frequently by insurgents of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This type of injury has become so common that they are being referred to as the “signature” injury of the wars in the Middle East. Statistics shown In a 2009 report that “nearly 28000 military personnel were diagnosed with a MTBI, about two and a half times more than in 2000” (Clemmit, M. 2012, p. 483). With this change in urban warfare the military has come to recognized the neurophysiological and psychological effects of MTBI after blast wave injury…show more content…
There are illnesses with symptoms that overlap those of MTBI such as PTSD. Additionally many soldiers will not be assessed until they return from service. The time frame between injury and assessment could be months or even years. Coupled, with the amnesia that occurs with this type of injury it is presumptive that returning soldiers may not be able to give an accurate history to their treating physician thereby making a proper diagnosis difficult. Alisa Glean professor of Radiology, neurology and neurosurgery at university of California states “there’s no question that we are not capturing all the injuries”. (Clemmitt, M. 2012, p. 481). Additionally according to one study, “trauma centers have missed MTBI in “over half” of patients” said Ronald Ruff, a clinical neuropsychologist. (Clemmitt, M. 2012, p. 482). In diagnosing these types of patients it is monumental to acquire the earliest most accurate account of the event and the symptoms the patient may be experiencing in a standard format from the time of onset. This information will be the patient’s baseline condition and will be the supporting information for all treatments to…show more content…
With a few simple changes such as education, higher potential for infield assessments, and complete documentation, diagnoses could be more accurate allowing for more effective treatment. Without these types of proactive measures, we leave our soldiers to fight a battle that they cannot win on their own. References Clemmitt, M (2012) Traumatic Brain Injury, The CQ Researcher. 22, p.478-494 Helmich, K., Maj Baugh, L., Lattimore, T., and Maj. Goldman, S. (2012). Traumatic Brain Injury: Next step, Research needed, and priority focus areas. Military Medicine 117, p. 86-92. Retrieved from Ebsco April 15th, 2013. Jones, K.D., Young, T., and Leppma, M., (2010). Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Returning Iraq and Afghanistan war Veteran’s: Implications for Assessment and Diagnosis. Journal of Counseling and Development. p.372-376. Retrieved from Ebsco April 15th,

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