SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― At least 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year.

During National Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, Regional West wants to help provide awareness and care to those who are suffering from a brain injury, and preventative measures you can take to help prevent a brain injury.

A traumatic brain injury is an injury that affects the brain and how it works. It may be caused by bumps or jolts, or by a penetrating injury to the head. TBIs can affect the lives of people of all ages, as well as their families.

Depending on the severity of the injury, people with brain injuries can have resulting health problems that last a few days or for the rest of their lives, such as weakness in arms and legs, difficulty with balance and coordination, and trouble concentrating.

Fortunately, there are measures you can take to help prevent TBIs, such as wearing your seat belt, wearing a helmet when riding a bike, making living and play areas safe for children, and talking with your physician about reducing your risk of falling.

If you or a loved one has previously suffered from a brain injury, talk to your Regional West physician or provider to see if a referral to Regional West Physicians Clinic-Neurology is the right next step for you.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers and approximately 2,000 staff members, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.