Specialised Care
FAQ Physical Disabilities
- Q.1- What usually causes physical disabilities?
- Q.2- What happens when the brain is injured?
- Q.3- Does minor head injury always result in permanent damage?
- Q.4- What has happened if someone has "changed" as a result of a brain injury?
- Q.5- What should a person or their relatives do if they experience problems like these?
Q.1- What usually causes physical disabilities?
A.1- Damage to the brain is the primary cause. Certain parts of the brain are responsible for the control of movement. Basic movements are controlled by many areas including one called the primary motor cortex, which is an area running down each side of the brain: the left side controls movement on the right side of the body and visa versa.
Balance and co-ordination are controlled by the cerebellum at the back of the brain. Other areas of the brain are responsible for the planning of these movements. There is a network of nerve fibres connecting all parts of the brain and sending nerves to the muscles and other parts of the body. Brain cells and the bundles of fibres are very sensitive to injury. Even if there is no sign of injury on the surface of the head, any of these areas can be injured by the violent forces that cause an acquired head injury.
Damage to the brain can also be caused by infections e.g. meningitis and encephalitis, by lack of oxygen or the toxic effect of drugs.
If a brain cell or nerve fibre has been damaged beyond a certain point, it will not be replaced. Unlike other parts of the body, the brain cannot grow new cells to help repair damage. However, surviving nerve cells can reorganise their connections with each other (a process known as plasticity), in a process driven and shaped by relevant re-learning experience, such as in provided by rehabilitation.
Most of the physical recovery will occur in the early months after the injury. Recovery of speech and language, higher-level thinking and cognitive function takes place over a longer period.
Q.2- What happens when the brain is injured?
A.2- Brain tissue consists of a soft jelly like substance containing billions of interconnecting nerve cells (neurones) and nerve fibres. These are supplied with oxygen and nutrients by a complex network of blood vessels. Cerebrospinal fluid, three layers of membrance and the skull protect the brain. Brain injury occurs when either the nerve cells or nerve pathways are broken, compressed or starved of a blood supply. This can happen as a result of mechanical force, insufficient blood and oxygen reaching the brain tissue, infection, chemical poisoning or by a tumour.
The brain acts as a control centre for movement, sensation and emotional and behavioural function. Following brain injury any one or more of these function can be affected.
Q.3- Does minor head injury always result in permanent damage?
A.3- No. Most people who suffer mild bumps to the head will recover. They may experience temporary symptoms which disappear over time. Only if more nerve cells have been damaged, or if there are repeated injuries, will people experience permanent damage and changes in the way they think and act.
Q.4- What has happened if someone has "changed" as a result of a brain injury?
A.4- When these changes persist for months after an injury, it means nerve cells have been damaged, possibly affecting thought, emotion and behaviour. It also means that the person affected should seek help to overcome or adapt to the changes that have occured.
Q.5- What should a person or their relatives do if they experience problems like these?
A.5- They should contact a medical professional, explain the problems and ask for a referral for a neuro-psychological assessment. This should be carried out by a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neuro-psychology, specially trained to understand the problems that occur following damage to the brain. While the assessment is extensive, it is the best way to gain understanding of the nature of the problems.
For further information, some useful sites are included below. Click on an address to go to the site.
http://www.headway.org.uk
http://www.mind.org.uk
http://www.cbituk.org
http://www.stroke.org.uk
"http://www.hda.org.uk
http://www.mssociety.org.uk
http://www.radar.org.uk
http://www.rnib.org.uk
