When a patient suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI), nutrition is extremely important for their recovery. A healthy diet is essential for a brain injury healing. The brain uses calories to function, and a lack of proper nutrients can disrupt proper brain functioning, including the ability to think clearly. When someone sustains a traumatic brain […]
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Why Are Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussion Symptoms Worse in the Summer Heat? If you’ve experienced a head injury, you may already know that an array of symptoms can occur after the injury for days, months, and even years. Brain trauma can cause body temperature regulation problems like feeling cold with chills, shivering, sweating, or
Neurofatigue is a condition in which an individual experiences mental exhaustion. It is when your brain overworks itself and becomes “tired” due to a disruption in the brain’s circuitry system. After a brain injury, your brain has to use more energy to send electrical signals, thus making you feel more fatigued as usual. This can affect
Self-monitoring is described as the ability to evaluate and observe your behaviors from others, and is considered an executive functioning skill (higher-level thinking skill). It allows you to compare your behaviors against the social norms and adapt your behavior accordingly to the situation. Some people are naturally high self-monitors and are able to read the
Self-control is being able to control your emotions and impulsive behaviors. It is a necessary skill to function as a productive member of society and to create and maintain social relationships. Self-control impacts all areas of our lives such as our career, relationships, diet, and our coping strategies when dealt with difficult situations. Maintaining a
Planning: Planning is a fundamental executive function skill that is necessary to be successful throughout our day. It requires us to think critically about future events in our lives such as our long-term goals, important occasions, our daily schedules, or even preparing a grocery list. It is a necessary higher level skill that allows us
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Memory is the ability to acquire, store, retain, and recall information. It allows us to learn and adapt from our past experiences and helps us live our lives independently. There are three types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term. Each of these have different functions. https://human-memory.net/types-of-memory/ Sensory Memory Sensory memory is the first component of
The brain consists of four lobes on the left and right side: the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe. Each lobe has different functions. The frontal lobe controls our executive function, which is a set of complex mental skills needed to help us learn new information, retain information, and
Sequencing is the process of arranging thoughts, information, language, and actions in a correct or effective order. It allows us to perform our everyday routines in a more organized and efficient pattern. It is the foundation for higher order cognitive skills that relate to language and goal-directed planning. Sequencing involves other executive functioning skills, such
Cognitive flexibility, or flexible thinking, is the ability to shift our thoughts or actions to respond to given situations. It allows us to problem solve and adapt to new situations. Examples of cognitive flexibility are: Taking a different route to work instead of your usual one due to road closures Eating eggs for breakfast instead
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