What You Need to Know About Axonal Brain Injury
The brain is the guide of your body that maintains all major bodily functions. Sudden trauma or injury to the brain may lead to various impairments and long-term disabilities. DAI or Diffuse Axonal Injury is one such condition where brain functions get disrupted. Typically, sudden jolts, automobile accidents, etc., may cause axonal brain injury where the brain sustains deep trauma. Long-term rehab and treatment may improve the condition of patients with DAI
To understand what exactly happens during Axonal injury, it is also essential to learn about the probable causes and treatments of DAI.
What is Axonal Brain Injury (DAI)?
Axonal brain injury is also known as DAI (Diffuse Axonal Injury). It is a brain injury condition that explains the shearing and tearing of the nerve fibres, known as axons. It happens when the brain shifts or rotates inside the skull due to sudden jolts. Due to this sudden impact, mechanical forces cause stretching and tearing of nerve fibres.
Axons are basically thread-like structures of neurons that are responsible for electrical impulses and communication between nerve cells. So, damage to axons may lead to disruption of nerve cell communications and also serious disabilities.
DAI is one of the leading causes behind coma and permanent disabilities. The condition may also lead to permanent cognitive, behavioural, social, and physical changes in the patient.
Causes of Axonal Brain Injury
When a sudden jolt happens, the brain shifts backward and forward quickly. Some of the reasons why this sudden event may happen are:
- Sudden traumatic events like a car accident
- Sports injuries are most common among athletes
- Falls are another leading cause of diffuse axonal injuries. It is more common in elderly people as the physical balance becomes weak with age
- People with a history of brain injury may also be at risk of DAI.
Symptoms of Axonal Brain Injury
Symptoms of diffuse axonal injury may differ in people depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, the patient loses consciousness for 6+ hours. Even after gaining consciousness, there may be several axonal injury symptoms, like:
- Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness are quite common
- Some people may also vomit or have a vomiting tendency, or sleep longer than usual,
- Cognitive symptoms of brain injury can include loss of memory, mental confusion, and difficulty concentrating
- Emotional symptoms may also occur, such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression.
How to Diagnose Axonal Brain Injury
Currently, there is no single test that can identify DAI in people. Diagnosis of diffuse axonal injury is a combination of clinical tests, physical examination, and understanding of the patient’s overall condition.
Doctors may run certain imaging tests and clinical evaluations. These may include:
- CT scans and MRI scans of the brain
- Clinical evaluation, such as neurological assessments
These tests are done to understand the overall functioning of the brain, deep injuries in the brain, and the neurological functioning of the brain. After doctors conclude the DAI diagnosis, further treatments are carried out.
Upon diagnosis, one of the three stages of DAI may be confirmed, such as:
- Grade 1 (Mild DAI)
In mild conditions, only microscopic damages are seen in the white matter of the brain, the brain stem, the corpus callosum, and the cerebral cortex
- Grade 2 (Moderate DAI)
In Grade 2, larger lesions can be detected in the corpus callosum
- Grade 3 (Severe DAI)
In the severe DAI cases, larger lesions can be seen in both the brain stems and the corpus callosum
Treatment Options for Axonal Brain Injury
The treatment for diffuse axonal injury is similar to other brain injury treatments. The first step is to stabilise the patient’s health. For this, oxygen or ventilation may be required and normalising blood pressure is also crucial.
Once the patient’s condition is stable, the doctor may proceed with surgical interventions or medication, as needed. Depending on the injuries, these DAI treatment options are followed. So, it may differ from one patient to another. There are certain Ayurvedic treatments for axonal injury. Common ones are herbs (Ashwagandha, brahmi, and turmeric). Yoga, meditation, diet changes, and panchakarma are also combined with herbal medicines for brain injuries in Ayurveda.
Long-term rehabilitation is typically needed in most cases of DAI. It may involve physiotherapy, speech, and occupational therapy. Some patients may have to learn basic everyday activities like walking, speaking, etc.
Prognosis and Recovery from Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury
Brain injury recovery, especially in the case of DAI, can be quite dicey. It is one of the serious brain damages that can be life-threatening in many cases. The recovery timeline primarily depends on the extent of damage and the part of the brain injured.
Generally, in serious DAI cases, patients may never regain consciousness. In cases where patients regain consciousness, long-term rehab is required. Cognitive, emotional, mental, and physical impairments may be the real challenges. However, with the right approach towards recovery, recovery from diffuse axonal injury is possible to a great extent.
Prevention of Axonal Brain Injury
Most cases of axonal brain injuries occur due to sudden accidents and falls. So, axonal brain injury prevention is possible. Doctors recommend following these tips to prevent axonal injury:
- Wearing seatbelts while riding a car and helmets while riding a two-wheeler is always recommended
- Avoid driving vehicles when intoxicated
- Always wear sports and protective gear when performing sports activities
- If you have elderly adults at home, evaluating the risk of falls is crucial. It helps in taking the necessary steps for fall prevention
- At home, try to keep the home clutter-free to avoid unnecessary falls and slips
Final Thoughts on Diffuse Axonal Injury
Sudden impacts, jolts, falls, and accidents can cause axonal brain injuries. It is one of the most serious types of brain injuries. Severe cases of DAI are often life-threatening and mild or moderate cases may require long-term recovery. So, it is always suggested to be careful against falls and accidents to prevent serious brain damage. If anyone around you experiences symptoms of axonal injuries after an accident, make sure to get immediate medical attention. At Vaidya Healthcare, we provide immediate care for brain injury cases and the right treatment.
FAQs
- What is the difference between Axonal Injury and other types of brain injuries?
In axonal brain injury rapid brain movement inside the skull causes damage to nerve fibres. Unlike other brain injuries, axonal injuries damage widespread brain parts and have long-term effects.
- How can Ayurveda support the recovery process after Axonal Injury?
Ayurvedic Treatment for axonal injury may support recovery with herbal therapies or medicated oils. They target improving overall brain health and act as a supportive treatment alongside traditional medicines.
- Can Axonal Injury lead to permanent damage to the brain?
Yes. Axonal brain injuries, though common, are one of the life-threatening conditions. In most cases, people may lose their lives or consciousness forever. In some cases, people may recover with long-term impact. However, with proper medical care, recovery is possible.
- How long does it take to recover from an Axonal Brain Injury?
Recovery from axonal brain injuries may differ from one patient to another. It depends on the severity of the injury and the part of the brain affected. While some may regain consciousness after a few hours, some may stay unconscious for longer.
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