Mega Doctor News
The central organ of the nervous system, the brain plays a critical role in several aspects of human life. It controls every process that regulates the body, including thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature and hunger.
Unfortunately, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) – which refers to damage to the brain triggered by an external physical force like a car accident, fall or sports injury, disrupts normal brain function, causing damage like bruising, bleeding and nerve fiber tearing – can lead to temporary or long-term problems with thinking, understanding, movement, communication and behavior.
Each year, about 2.5 million individuals experience a TBI, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with about 80,000 leading to permanent disability and 50,000 resulting in death.
Falls, the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries make up about 28% of cases, per the CDC, followed closely by motor vehicle accidents, which make up 20% of cases.
“Some traumatic brain injuries are mild, with symptoms waning over time with proper medical attention,” says Mike Menowsky, MF, FACEP, an emergency medicine physician with South Texas Health System McAllen. “Others may be more severe and result in permanent disability. In some instances, serious TBIs may require post-injury and lifelong rehabilitation.”
In addition to understanding the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury like a loss of consciousness, confusion, headache with nausea or vomiting and a change in mental status, it’s important to seek early and appropriate treatment to minimize secondary brain damage, potentially prevent long-term complications and improve overall patient outcomes.
“While you can usually manage mild TBIs – known as concussions – at home, they still require proper medical evaluation,” says Menowsky, who serves as the Associate Program Director of the STHS GME Consortium’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program. “More severe TBIs may require surgery or medications to manage symptoms and prevent potentially fatal complications.”
Since traumatic brain injuries can lead to severe, often permanent disabilities that impact an individual’s ability to think, move and function, it’s important to take steps to prevent them, especially since TBIs can happen at any time due to a sudden impact to the head.
To help educate Rio Grande Valley residents on the dangers of TBIs this Traumatic Brain Injury Month, South Texas Health System and STHS Clinics will devote the latest episode of their monthly “South Texas Healthy Living” television program to the life-threatening medical condition, which is more common in older adults, who have a higher risk of TBI-related deaths and hospitalizations compares to younger individuals.
Broadcast live on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23, the program will feature a sit-down interview with Dr. Menowsky on the risk factors associated with TBIs, the warning signs and symptoms of a brain injury and the treatment protocols for mild to severe TBIs.
Additionally, STHS System Director of Marketing & Public Relations and “South Texas Healthy Living” host Tom Castañeda sits down with Alicia Cruz, a 38-year-old McAllen mother who was diagnosed with a TBI in 2023 after being involved in a motor vehicle accident, to find out how the brain injury has impacted her life and her advice for those who may not seek prompt medical evaluation after experiencing head trauma.
The program will also feature a special cooking segment led by Patrick Woodin, South Texas Health System McAllen’s director of dietary & nutrition services, a demonstration of essential fall-prevention exercises with a member of the STHS Edinburg rehabilitation services department, and important strategies to prevent traumatic brain injuries.
“Education about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries is crucial because it empowers individuals to recognize the causes and risk factors associated with head trauma, recognize the warning signs and symptoms and, ultimately, seek medical attention if they suspect they or someone around them has experienced a TBI,” says Castañeda. “But that’s not all… Along with providing important education, this latest episode of ‘South Texas Healthy Living’ will also highlight strategies to avert TBIs. Unlike most neurological disorders, head injuries can be prevented, so taking precautions like wearing a seatbelt in the car or a helmet when riding a bike or playing sports like football can make a world of difference in preventing head trauma. Additionally, there are simple exercises you can do from the comfort of your home to strengthen muscles and improve balance to maintain stability and prevent falls, especially in seniors. This episode is all about helping you get healthy and stay healthy!”
To learn more about traumatic brain injuries and how to avoid them, don’t miss the latest episode of “South Texas Healthy Living” on Sunday, March 30 at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23.
To watch previous episodes of “South Texas Healthy Living” and the system’s South Texas Health Updates, one minute videos offering education on various health issues, visit South Texas Health System’s Medical Minute page on ValleyCentral.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharrand Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
