aivovaurioon

Aivovaurioon is the Finnish term referring to brain damage, the impairment of brain tissue that results in altered function. In English, brain damage encompasses injuries or diseases that affect the brain’s structure or chemistry and can lead to cognitive, motor, sensory, or behavioral changes.

Causes of aivovaurioon include traumatic brain injury from falls or accidents, stroke, lack of oxygen or blood flow (hypoxia/ischemia), infections, tumors, toxins, and progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Damage can be focal, affecting a specific area, or diffuse, involving widespread brain tissue. Severity ranges from mild to severe and may be acute or chronic.

Clinical presentation depends on location and extent of injury. Common symptoms include memory problems, difficulties with attention or problem solving, changes in personality or behavior, headaches, dizziness, weakness or paralysis on one side, speech or language difficulties, and seizures. Diagnosis typically involves neurological examination and imaging studies such as CT or MRI, supported by neuropsychological testing and, when needed, EEG.

Management aims to stabilize the patient, prevent further injury, and maximize recovery. Acute care may require surgery to relieve pressure or control bleeding. Rehabilitation is central and can include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, cognitive therapy, and medications to manage symptoms or comorbidities. Prognosis varies widely and depends on the cause, location and extent of damage, age, and access to rehabilitation.

Prevention focuses on reducing risk factors and safeguarding against injury, such as wearing protective headgear, using seat belts, managing cardiovascular risk factors, and addressing conditions that can lead to hypoxia or infection. In Finnish usage, aivovaurioon denotes brain damage in discourse referring to injury or disease affecting brain tissue.