Head Trauma still poses threat despite of modern medicine

While most patients experiencing closed head trauma suffer from mild head injuries, moderate and severe trauma continues to be a problem area in the health care industry. It is estimated that the United States spends $25 billion dollars a year in head trauma care. In addition, some studies indicate that those who suffer from head trauma are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease later on in life. This adds an additional burden to the health care system. The rate of head injuries is high in US alone with 550,000 people getting hospitalized each year from 600,000 accidents as 10 percent of cases are fatal.

Although modern medicine has made it easier to improve head trauma care in patients, there is still much about the workings of the brain that is not known. While most head trauma cases are not serious, those that are can result in a person remaining in a vegetative state for the duration of his or her life.

Not all head trauma cases affect the brain. Some affect the skull or other parts of the head. Some involve lacerations or concussions. Most head trauma cases are the result of an automobile accident or fall at home.

Despite modern medicine making strides with regard to treating certain diseases, head trauma care still continues to take an increasing toll on the health care system. Severe head trauma often results in a cost not only to the health care industry, but to society as well as, despite modern medicine and treatments, many of these patients are incapacitated for life.