20/03/2026
⛑ It's First Aid Friday! ⛑
Today's Topic: Brain Injuries 🧠
It's Brain Injury Awareness Week and, according to Brain Injury Australia, they are a lot more common than we may think, affecting over 700,000 Australians*
Occurring as a result of any damage which happens to the brain - be it from some form of trauma or blow, a stroke, infection (such as Meningococcal), disease (such as Parkinson's) or as a result of drug or alcohol abuse - the effects of brain injury are life long and can impact all factors of life with daily activity limitations and participation restrictions.
The signs and symptoms of a brain injury can vary greatly, from seizures or fits, headaches, slurred speech, weakness, agitation, moodiness or unusual behaviour. Brain injury is often described as an 'invisible illness' as they may not always be instantly recognisable or obvious to those who are not close to the person affected.
In terms of a suspected brain injury following a fall, blow, hit or some type of trauma or impact to the head, it's important to always follow the DRSABCD Action Plan, provide relief with a cool compress and seek further medical advice even if the person affected is not showing any unusual behaviour. The signs of brain injury are not always obvious or immediate, so it's imperative to be checked by a health professional 👩⚕️ Should the person be unconscious or struggling to breathe, call for emergency medical care (000) 🚑
So, what can be done to help limit our chances of developing a trauma related brain injury? Ideally, avoid undertaking contact sports - or wear appropriate protective gear if doing so - always wear your seatbelt when in a vehicle and remove any trip or fall hazards around home and work.
Our brains are pretty incredible devices which are often taken for granted. This Brain Injury Awareness Week, let's all remember to take a little extra time and care - today and everyday - to give them the love they deserve 🫶
