Glossary
- Analgesics
- Pain Relievers, Fever Reducers
- Anti-Anxiety
- Medications to reduce anxiety; oftentimes SSRIs (such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa) or Benzodiazepines (like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan)
- Anti-Coagulants
- Medications, such as Heparin or Warfarin (also called Coumadin), to slow down your body's process of making clots
- Closed (or non-penetrating)
- Non-penetrating head injuries occur when there is a blow or jolt to the head, which can happen during a fall, motor vehicle accident, or sports related accident.
- Decerebrate
- Arms straighten & legs straighten
- Decorticate
- Arms bend, legs straighten
- GCS
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Open (penetrating)
- Penetrating head injuries occur when an object enters the brain and causes damage to a specific area of the brain.
- Traumatic Impact
- A brain injury resulting from an impact; i.e., when the head is struck by or against an object.
- Traumatic Inertial
- A brain injury not caused by an impact but rather as a result of inertial forces.
- Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA)
- The UDDA is model legislation adopted in each state which offers two definitions for when an individual may legally be declared dead: (1) Irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or (2) Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
The Brain Injury Association of America is amplifying the voices of the brain injury community with our #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign throughout March. Stay informed of events, opportunities, and resources by signing up for our email list below.