Brain Damage: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments (cont.)
What causes brain damage?
When the brain is starved of oxygen for a prolonged period of time, brain damage may occur. Brain damage can occur as a result of a wide range of injuries, illnesses, or conditions. Because of high-risk behaviors, males between the ages of 15 and 24 are most vulnerable. Young children and the elderly also have a higher risk.
Causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- car accidents
- blows to the head
- sports injuries
- falls or accidents
- physical violence
Causes of acquired brain injury include:
- poisoning or exposure to toxic substances
- infection
- strangulation, choking, or drowning
- stroke
- heart attacks
- tumors
- aneurysms
- neurological illnesses
- abuse of illegal drugs