Many physical effects of brain injury can impact a person’s activities of daily living (ADLs). These effects include:
Ataxia (jerkiness) and coordination
Balance problems
Chronic (consistent) pain
Fatigue, difficulties with sleeping, and insomnia
Headaches
Impaired motor control and motor planning
Muscle tone
Paralysis or weakness
Perception and receiving sensory information (for example, phantom pain) and figuring out how to act on it
Sensory problems, such as sensations on the skin, touch, and vision
Explore our site to learn more about some of the most common physical effects of brain injury and physical rehabilitation.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the feeling of being extremely tired or having no energy or motivation. It is incredibly common after brain injury and can be caused by lack of sleep, stress, the amount of energy required to complete tasks, and pain.
Chronic pain
Pain is a complex issue, particularly when it’s long-term. Chronic pain can make symptoms of brain injury worse and prevent you from engaging in activities of daily living (ADLs).
Mobility
Many physical effects of brain injury can make moving difficult. Changes in mobility can be difficult to adjust to, and can lead to increased risks of mental health challenges. Understanding mobility and engaging in physical rehabilitation are important steps to take in recovery.
Headaches
Headaches can be painful, frustrating, and keep you from doing activities of daily living (ADLs).
A brain injury is a life-changing event, and it can lead to a variety of short or long-term effects. Since no two brain injuries are the same, people will not always experience the same effects. In general, they can be grouped into the following categories.
Cognitive effects
Cognitive is a term used to describe thought processing and thinking. Cognitive effects of brain injury can include memory problems, changes in judgement and planning skills, and poor attention/focus.
After a brain injury, a person may have physical deficits that make it difficult to walk, get dressed, drive, and perform other activities of daily living (ADLs). Physical effects of brain injury can include balance problems, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
A person may exhibit different behaviours after brain injury that are uncharacteristic or new. They may also impact recovery and rehabilitation. Behavioural effects of brain injury include depression, anger, impulsivity and social dysfunction.
A cerebral aneurysm is when there is a bulge in a weak area in a wall of an artery that may leak or rupture. A bulging artery puts pressure on the brain tissue or nerves depending on where it is located. If it bursts – or hemorrhages – blood will spill onto the tissue between the brain and the skull. This can lead to hemorrhagic stroke, brain damage or in rare cases, death.
Brain aneurysm causes
Causes and risk factors of a brain aneurysm include:
Age – older individuals are more likely to develop aneurysms
Excessive alcohol or drug use
Family history/genetics
Gender – specifically, females are more likely to develop aneurysms
High blood pressure
Past aneurysms
Smoking
Aneurysms can develop after head trauma or infection – but these causes aren’t as common.
Symptoms of aneurysm
In many cases, there will be no visible symptoms of an aneurysm. When symptoms do appear, it is because the brain aneurysm has burst. The symptoms will appear suddenly. Emergency services should be called at 9-1-1 immediately. First-responders are necessary because they may have to use life-saving measures quickly. Symptoms of an aneurysm include:
Sudden, severe headaches
Blurred vision
Changes in speech
Neck pain
Nausea
Sensitivity to light
Fainting
Seizures
Brain aneurysm treatment and recovery
An unruptured brain aneurysm is normally found during unrelated tests/screenings. A ruptured brain aneurysm will be diagnosed using computerized scans and dye tests. Once a ruptured brain injury is diagnosed, there are a few different treatment options. Doctors will recommend the one(s) best suited to your situation based on factors such as age, location and severity of the aneurysm. These treatment options include:
Open surgery which enables the surgeon to place a clip around the base of the aneurysm, preventing blood from entering it
Endovascular surgery which happens within the blood vessels. It’s a smaller, less-invasive surgery to implant shunts or coils
Alternatively, doctors may recommend observation and spend more time monitoring the aneurysm.
Coping with changes after a brain aneurysm
A brain aneurysm can have a variety of effects depending on how much blood there is and the damage it does to the brain tissue or other arteries. There can be changes to cognitive and physical abilities, vision, balance, and more. It’s important to keep in mind that treating the brain aneurysm will not reverse the effects it has caused.
That means that once you’re in recovery, you may have to learn new ways to complete activities of daily living (ADLs).
Opioid overdoses can have catastrophic results, including brain injury. Brain injuries present new challenges and changes that can be difficult to cope with, particularly if the survivor is also trying to cope with substance use. It takes a long time to figure out the extent of the changes they have experienced and establish a continuing care plan that will help them with rehabilitation and the recovery process. The effects of the brain injury will change them as well. It’s a scary experience that can be hard to put into words or share with others and can have a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing.
This can feel incredibly lonely, but it’s important to remember that there are people and places that can provide support. Whether this is a family member, a friend, a support worker or even a local brain injury association , there are resources available to help a survivor succeed in their next steps.
Opioids are a drug used to manage pain, typically after surgery. They induce feelings of euphoria (happiness or ‘feeling high’). When prescribed by a doctor and taken in the recommended dosages, opioids can be safe. These prescriptions are often made with codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, or medical heroin.
Opioids can also be produced and obtained illegally and in a variety of forms. When obtained on the black market, opioid production is not controlled. Often these opioids contain unsafe doses of fentanyl or carfentanil. Carfentanil is specifically for large animals (like elephants), not humans. It’s approximately 100 times more toxic than fentanyl and 10,000 times more toxic than morphine. The smallest amount could cause an overdose.
An opioid overdose can cause damaging effects such as slowing breathing/heart rate and starving the brain of oxygen. The parts of the brain that use the most energy and oxygen are the most vulnerable. When loss of oxygen is more severe it can also damage areas of the brain that are fed by the smallest blood vessels that are furthest from the heart. The medical term for partial oxygen deprivation is hypoxia. Hypoxia can worsen into anoxia when a person completely stops breathing.
Opioids have their effect by causing the brain to release dopamine, the brain’s natural opioid, in greater amounts. When used over a long period of time, the brain adapts by reducing the number of receptors, a process known as tolerance. Opioids alter the brain and how a person responds to normal rewards in the environment. Things that would normally make someone feel good and happy may no longer be motivating. That is why some people may, use drugs in a dangerous way, even though they know their opioid use is causing problems. This leads to a greater risk of overdose. Approximately 12 people die from opioid overdoses in Canada every day, having the biggest impact on Canadians aged 15-24 [1].
Currently there isn’t much research on individuals who acquire a brain injury through an opioid overdose. What is evident is that those who do survive an overdose from opioids can be left with catastrophic brain injuries that deeply affect the survivor and those close to them.
Substance use can continue to be a concern after a brain injury. The difficulties with attention, memory and judgment may make it more difficult to benefit from care. Substance use after brain injury can often interfere with the brain’s natural recovery and participation in treatment.
Depending on what parts of the brain are damaged and how long the brain was without oxygen, the survivor may experience [2]:
Limb weakness
Balance and coordination issues
Spasticity or rigidity in muscle tone
Abnormal, involuntary movements
Loss of vision
Memory loss
Speech and language challenges
Changes in cognitive abilities related to thinking and decision-making – this can affect future planning, work and social interactions
Changes in personality – this includes irritability, impulsiveness, and social impairments
The impact of overdose can range from subtle to severe. Some people may notice that they are more forgetful, less coordinated or have more trouble getting and staying organized. For survivors of many episodes of overdose, or longer and more severe anoxia, they may experience fundamental changes to their personality and abilities. Recovery does occur, but many changes may be lasting and require rehabilitation.
If you have had an opioid overdose and are experiencing subtle challenges, see the section below on ways to find help after an opioid overdose and brain injury
Substance use rehabilitation and brain injury
One of the existing challenges with treatment for substance use and brain injury at the same time is that current facilities/programs are not equipped to handle both. The majority of brain injury rehabilitation, community, and support programs require participants to be sober. Similarly, centres and programs that specialize in addiction support are not able to handle the complex needs of someone with a brain injury.
This does not mean that a support plan can’t be created – it just means that the survivor will need to work with caregivers and medical professionals with knowledge of what services are available.
A brain injury can affect every part of a person’s life. In many cases, the effects of brain injury are invisible to others, this can make it even more difficult to find help. Since a brain injury differs from person to person and recovery depends on several factors, in many cases it’s difficult to know what long-term behavioural, cognitive, physical or emotional effects there will be.
When you acquire a brain injury, you will have to learn how to live with the challenges and changes it presents. This includes changes to your independence, abilities, work, and relationships with family, friends, and caregivers. This may cause a lot of emotions including stress, anger, depression and even grief. These new challenges will not only affect your life, but will also be a big change for your family and friends.
As you go through the stages of acute care, rehabilitation, and learning to manage and live with brain injury, you’re going to have a lot of questions. This is where it’s helpful to have supports and services. With the help of others in healthcare, your community, your family, and your local brain injury association, you can begin to understand brain injury, the effects it can have, and how to manage changes.
This section of our website covers the kinds of changes you may experience, management tips, and information on the kinds of tools and services that can help you and your family navigate living with brain injury.
Adjusting to the new normal
After a brain injury, things will forever by changed. It will take some time to adjust to what is commonly referred to as the new normal.
Relationships with family, friends, and partners will be different after a brain injury. It’s important work with the other relationship members to navigate those changes.
After a brain injury, many people struggle to maintain a social life and social relationships. Socialization is incredibly important for a person’s overall health and well-being. Socializing after a brain injury can be challenging, but it is not impossible. There are ways to interact with others that can create a rich and fulfilling social life while still being mindful of changing abilities and needs.
Hearing loss after brain injury can impact a person’s activities of daily living (ADLs). This can be quite an adjustment, but with time and patience, you can establish new practices.
Dysphagia is a condition that causes difficult swallowing. This makes eating and getting enough food more challenging. There are several ways to manage dysphagia.
After a brain injury, some individuals experience challenges with language. This includes troubles with speaking, thought processing, reading and writing.
Nutrition is an important part of brain injury recovery because both the brain and body need proper nutrients in order to heal. Understanding and cultivating a healthy diet can help with overall health and well-being.
It is common for individuals to experience challenges with sleep after brain injury. A lack of sleep can in turn make symptoms of brain injury worse. That’s why it is important to develop a healthy sleep hygiene routine.
Finances can be a stressor after brain injury, particularly if the individual is not able to work. We have compiled some information on managing money and accessing financial support.
Depending on the cause of your brain injury, you may be eligible for some insurance coverage. This section covers different policies available in Canada through personal and work plans.
Brain Injury Canada has a partnership with MedicAlert to bring awareness to brain injury in Canada and provide support to survivors through MedicAlert services.
An acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any damage to the brain that occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. This definition stems form the World Health Organization where a brain injury was defined as “Damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. These impairments may be temporary or permanent and cause partial or functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment (Geneva 1996). There are two types of acquired brain injury: non-traumatic and traumatic.
Traumatic acquired brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by something that comes from outside the body. This includes blows, bumps, and jolts to the head. Traumatic brain injuries can result in temporary injury or more serious, long-term damage. See statistics on TBI. Causes of traumatic acquired brain injuries include:
A concussion is an acquired brain injury. Anyone who sustains a concussion can experience many of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural effects that accompany acquired brain injuries.
Concussion is also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that has no neuroimaging findings. The term mild does not diminish the impacts that concussion can have on your health and activities of daily living (ADLs).
Acquired brain injury affects every part of a person’s life. This includes changes to your independence, abilities, work, and relationships with family, friends, and caregivers. Since a brain injury differs from person to person and recovery depends on several factors, in many cases it’s difficult to know what long-term behavioural, cognitive, physical or emotional effects there will be.
The effects of brain injury can be put in the following categories [1]:
Behavioural changes: The way a person acts or makes decisions can change after a brain injury. Behavioural changes include engaging in risky or impulsive behaviour, having difficulty with social and work relationships and isolation. This can be stressful and depending on the behaviour can cause safety concerns. Rehabilitation and medical teams will be able to provide practical tips for behaviour after a brain injury.
Cognitive changes: This is how the brain learns, processes information, forms memories and makes decisions. Challenges include communication, concentration, reading/writing, making decisions, and remembering things.
Emotional changes: a brain injury, a person may experience new or different emotions, including depression, anxiety, and/or anger. Emotional changes are difficult to adjust to, and it’s important to have a support system of family, friends, and medical professionals.
Physical changes: In some cases, a brain injury will have physical effects. These effects include mobility challenges, headaches, fatigue, pain and sensory changes.
Prognosis means the likely path a disease or injury will take. In the case of acquired brain injury, prognosis is meant to give a best estimate of effects and recovery. Acquired brain injuries are all different, and there are a lot of factors that will impact a prognosis of recovery.
Factors that affect prognosis include:
Severity of injury
Previous injuries and existing conditions
Access to treatment
Age
Location of injury
Research shows that there is no system or set of variables that can accurately predict outcome for a single patient [2]. There is no definite timeline for recovery – it’s different for everyone. Doctors will update their prognosis as recovery progresses and provide next steps at the same time.
This section of our website covers the kinds of changes you may experience, management tips, and information on the kinds of tools and services that can help you and your family navigate living with brain injury.
An acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any damage to the brain that occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. There are two types of acquired brain injury: non-traumatic and traumatic.
Non-traumatic acquired brain injuries are caused by something that happens inside the body, or a substance introduced into the body that damages brain tissues.
Acquired brain injury affects every part of a person’s life. This includes changes to your independence, abilities, work, and relationships with family, friends, and caregivers. Since a brain injury differs from person to person and recovery depends on several factors, in many cases it’s difficult to know what long-term behavioural, cognitive, physical or emotional effects there will be.
The effects of brain injury can be put in the following categories [1]:
Behavioural changes: The way a person acts or makes decisions can change after a brain injury. Behavioural changes include engaging in risky or impulsive behaviour, having difficulty with social and work relationships and isolation. This can be stressful and depending on the behaviour can cause safety concerns. Rehabilitation and medical teams will be able to provide practical tips for behaviour after a brain injury.
Cognitive changes: This is how the brain learns, processes information, forms memories and makes decisions. Challenges include communication, concentration, reading/writing, making decisions, and remembering things.
Emotional changes: after a brain injury, a person may experience new or different emotions, including depression, anxiety, and/or anger. Emotional changes are difficult to adjust to, and it’s important to have a support system of family, friends, and medical professionals.
Physical changes: In some cases, a brain injury will have physical effects. These effects include mobility challenges, headaches, fatigue, pain and sensory changes.
A concussion is an acquired brain injury. Anyone who sustains a concussion can experience many of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural effects that accompany acquired brain injuries.
Concussion is also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that has no neuroimaging findings. The term mild does not diminish the impacts that concussion can have on your health and activities of daily living (ADLs).
Prognosis means the likely path a disease or injury will take. In the case of acquired brain injury, prognosis is meant to give a best estimate of effects and recovery. Acquired brain injuries are all different, and there are a lot of factors that will impact a prognosis of recovery.
Factors that affect prognosis include:
Severity of injury
Previous injuries and existing conditions
Access to treatment
Age
Location of injury
Research shows that there is no system or set of variables that can accurately predict outcome for a single patient [2]. There is no definite timeline for recovery – it’s different for everyone. Doctors will update their prognosis as recovery progresses and provide next steps at the same time.
This section of our website covers the kinds of changes you may experience, management tips, and information on the kinds of tools and services that can help you and your family navigate living with brain injury.
