Mild symptoms
Headache
Nausea
Unexplained fatigue
Speech problems
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Ringing ears
Loss of consciousness
Depression/anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Sleep problems (too little or too much)
Unexplained mood changes
Moderate/severe symptoms
Persistent or worsening headache
Convulsions or seizures
Repeated vomiting
Clear fluid draining from your nose or ears
Weakness/numbness in your fingers or toes
Trouble waking up
Slurred speech
Intense confusion
Unexplained moods (including agitation and combativeness)
Brain injuries are often considered emergencies and can become worse if left untreated. The initial assessment is typically done by first responders on the scene of the incident or by emergency room personnel. Part of this initial screening is a test that evaluates your ability to do things like move your eyes, follow directions, move your body parts and carry on a conversation. Valuable information also can be gathered from family, friends or bystanders who witnessed the incident. This could include details about loss of consciousness and specifics about the injury.
Other diagnostic options include:
Computed tomography (CT) scan: This painless test uses a series of X-rays and a computer to create highly detailed images of your brain. It can reveal fractures, brain bleeding, blood clots, brain tissue bruising and tissue swelling.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Radio waves and powerful magnets are used to create detailed images of your brain. These scans, often with the help of special contrast dyes, can reveal damage to brain tissue and the thin membranes that cover it.
Intracranial pressure monitor: To measure the pressure inside your skull, your doctors may insert a tiny probe to monitor it. Excess pressure and swelling can cause damage to your brain.
Functional assessments: During your rehabilitation, your team will periodically assess your progress by measuring your physical and cognitive abilities. This could include your ability to dress yourself, walk, bathe, solve problems and comprehend conversations.
Your treatment plan will be based on the severity and symptoms of your injury. Mild injuries may require nothing more than rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Moderate and severe injuries will often need medicines to counter seizures, induce temporary comas or reduce pressure inside the brain. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove blood clots, repair fractures, control bleeding and relieve pressure.
After the immediate health threat has been addressed, most people with significant brain injuries will need rehabilitation. You may need to relearn basic life skills, including walking, talking, eating and getting dressed. Your therapy will likely start during your hospital stay. Then it will transition to an inpatient rehabilitation unit or residential treatment facility before moving to an outpatient basis.
At the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute, we offer a full spectrum of rehabilitation specialists, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, vocational counselors and social workers.
As your rehabilitation journey continues, you will eventually return to life outside of a full-time rehabilitation facility. When that happens, effective outpatient care is critical to your continued improvement. Orlando Health is committed to ensuring and supporting a smooth transition that helps you meet your personal goals.
After discharge, our compassionate team will work closely with you to develop a care plan using our highly specialized outpatient centers. We will work with you and your family to design a customized treatment with functional and achievable goals. You will work one-on-one with your therapist throughout your journey to build daily living skills to help you achieve the highest level of functional independence.
For support, socialization and education, the Central Florida Brain Injury Support Group meets monthly.
We offer annual reunions for former patients to help with:
- Find local resources
- Connect with other survivors and caregivers
- Take part in activities that promote recovery
We provided Scope of Service documents that detail each of our accredited rehabilitation programs. Within these documents, you’ll find very detailed answers to questions, such as:
- How does someone become a patient or get admitted?
- Who is an appropriate candidate for the Spinal Cord Injury Program?
- What type of specialists work at Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute?
- What services are offered for brain injury patients?
- How does Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute help stroke patients recover?
Outcomes Data
The Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute outperforms the national average when it comes to helping patients return to the community.
Discharged Back to the Community
86.9% of our patients are discharged back to the community (national average is 82.2%).
Specific to Traumatic Brain Injury
We discharge 84.2% of our TBI patients back to the community, compared with the national average of 76.4 percent.
