Summer 2007	Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
An estimated 88 percent of soldiers treated in Iraq have been injured by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or mortar blasts. If you’re one of them, read this! A New Screening Program The military estimates that as many as one in five soldiers and marines will suffer mild traumatic brain injury in Iraq. In response, the Department of Veterans Affairs is now screening all troops returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom for TBI. Get more information about traumatic brain injury. Log on to My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov You May Have It and Not Know It For active military personnel, blast injuries are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, TBI, a disruption in the brain’s normal functions resulting from a blow or jolt to the head, is fast becoming the “signature wound” of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In milder versions of TBI, some service men and women don’t even realize they’ve suffered a head injury. Maybe you’re one of them. Did you dismiss “just a bump on the head” as not even worth reporting? Or maybe at the time you were focused on other, more visible injuries instead. Even a sudden stop in a military motor vehicle, such as in a minor accident, could have caused you to suffer mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Look for These Signs MTBI’s symptoms can take weeks or even months to evolve. Do you suffer from any of these signs? • headaches • trouble concentrating or making decisions • memory problems • increased sensitivity to light and sound • blurred vision or tired eyes • dizziness • excessive fatigue • difficulty organizing daily tasks • slowness in thinking, acting, speaking or reading • being easily distracted • mood changes • confusion • ringing in the ears • change in sleep pattern • neck pain • loss of sense of taste or smell • feelings of sadness, anxiousness or listlessness • irritability or anger for little or no reason • change in libido or sex drive If you think you may be suffering from MTBI, contact your VA health care provider. He or she can help you determine whether you have the condition and rule out any other possible causes. Road to Recovery MTBI healing takes time, but you can help your recovery by following these tips: • Get a good night’s sleep and rest during the day. • Return to normal activities gradually. Avoid activities that put you at risk for a second brain injury. Using a helmet or safety belt can also help you reduce that risk. • Skip the alcohol. It may slow brain recovery or increase your risk of further injury. • Write things down if you’re having memory problems. • Put items in the same place all the time if you’re losing them. • Perform one task at a time in a quiet setting to avoid losing concentration. • Use relaxation techniques like meditation to help manage irritability.
Summer 2007 Outstanding Health Care | Eye Do | HealtheVet | Healthy Trip Battle of Sexes | Relieve Dry Mouth | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury VA News and Updates | Health Beat | VA Wellness Programs

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