Brain Injury Prevention

Brain health is for everyone. It involves protecting your physical, mental, and social well-being, no matter your age.

• Getting a good night’s sleep
• Monitoring your blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Eating healthy foods and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Keeping active in physical and social activities
• Taking steps to prevent injuries to the brain caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a loss of oxygen to the brain
• Getting regular check-ups with your medical professional, staying up-to-date on vaccines, and asking for mental health support when needed
• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs, as well as supplements and medicines not recommended or prescribed by a medical professional

Take action to lower your risk of a stroke

Anyone can have a stroke at any age, but certain things can increase your chances of having one. The best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from a stroke are to understand your risk and work with your medical professional to control health conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that raise your risk for stroke. It is also important to stay physically active, not smoke, limit alcohol use, and check your cholesterol and blood pressure regularly.

Watch videos on stroke care and prevention from the BIAA Stroke Symposium.

Watch for fall risks when young children are present.

When young children are around, you play an important role in preventing falls by providing appropriate supervision and using window guards or stops, stair gates, and handrails.

Supervision is essential around potential fall hazards, whether at home, school, or during play. Have your child use playgrounds with soft material under them, like mulch or sand, not grass or dirt.

Falls are a leading cause of brain injuries in older adults.

Fall risk can be lowered for older adults by taking the following steps:

• Talking to a medical professional about getting a fall risk assessment.
• Doing strength and balance exercises to make your legs stronger and improve your balance.
• Reviewing medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
• Having your eyes checked at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
• Making your home safer.

Drowning prevention is possible

A loss of oxygen to the brain can lead to hypoxic or anoxic brain injury. Researchers have identified several ways to lower the risk of drowning among children and adults.

• Learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Find swimming lessons in your area‎:
  • Red Cross Swim Classes and Training
  • Swimming Classes at the YMCA
  • United States Swim School Association
  • USA Swimming Classes
• Build fences that fully enclose pools. The fence should separate the pool from the house, with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Supervise closely. Designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water (including bathtubs).
• Wear a life jacket. Life jackets reduce the risk of drowning while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities.
• Learn CPR. Your CPR skills could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive. Many organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, offer CPR training courses.
• Always swim with a buddy. The buddy system is especially beneficial for people with seizure disorders or other medical conditions that increase their risk of drowning.
• Check the forecast. Local weather conditions can change quickly and cause dangerous flash floods, strong winds, and thunderstorms with lightning strikes.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination.
• Don’t hyperventilate or hold your breath for a long time. This can cause you to pass out and drown. This is sometimes called “hypoxic blackout” or “shallow water blackout”.

An overdose can harm the brain by limiting or cutting off oxygen to the brain.

An overdose can harm the brain in several serious ways. Many overdoses, especially from opioids, slow or stop breathing, which means the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. Some substances, like alcohol or stimulants, can also directly damage brain cells or cause swelling in the brain. In some cases, an overdose can lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest, which interrupts blood flow to the brain and can result in brain injury. Get tips for preventing drug overdose and alcohol use disorders.

Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle

Ensure you and your loved ones are always properly buckled up. For children, this means making sure they use a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt — whichever is appropriate for their age and size.  Avoid reusing a car seat that shows signs of damage, has been recalled or expired, has been involved in a crash, or lacks essential information such as an expiration date, model number, or instructions.

Use helmets that fit correctly

Wearing a helmet is a must to help reduce the risk of a serious brain injury or skull fracture while bicycling, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, riding on a scooter, and playing sports like tackle football. Replace helmets that have been damaged. Be cautious of helmet-related products that may overstate injury-prevention benefits, such as products claiming they can prevent all concussions.

Choose a sports program that enforces rules for safety and avoids drills and plays that increase the risk for head impacts

Sports programs can:

• Expand opportunities for youth in all communities to participate in low-cost non-contact football programs, such as flag and touch football.
• Limit the number of contact practices for contact and collision sports.
• Enforce the rules of the sport for fair play, safety, and sportsmanship.
• Ensure athletes avoid unsafe actions such as:
  • Hitting another athlete in the head
  • Using their head to tackle or hit another athlete
• Educate coaches, sports officials, parents, and athletes about concussion policies and about strategies to reduce head impacts and concussions.

Get involved in violence prevention

Violence is a leading cause of brain injuries among children and adults. Children younger than four years of age and those with special needs (such as disabilities, mental health issues, and chronic physical illnesses) may be at increased risk for assault and abuse.

Exposure to domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence or IPV) can profoundly impact a person’s lifelong health and well-being. It may also place them at increased risk for death and serious injuries, such as brain injuries. In one state, one in four IPV-related deaths resulted from strangulation or other brain injury. Learn more about brain injury and domestic violence.

Compassionate answers. Real support. Every step of the way.

Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 to speak to a specialist about:

• Help with care needs
• Legal and financial resources
• Services in your community