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Neurology (TBI)

Our highly trained neurologists diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries of varying types and severity, in patients of all ages.

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Our neurology team is especially well-versed in diagnosing and treating Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). TBIs result when forces applied to or distributed to the head that injure the brain and cause signs and symptoms to manifest. Signs and symptoms can include dizziness, loss of consciousness, fatigue, light sensitivity, memory deficits, behavior changes, and more. 

TBIs can occur during sports activities, auto accidents, falls, penetration of the skull, or other traumatic incidents.

Typically, TBIs are assessed and classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on symptom presentation and severity.

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The best of the best. I was injured but the love and care I got was second to none.

Chad D.

All the therapists were amazing, very professional and helped me al lot in my recovery. I feel great again.

Lina M.

Amazing staff, and extremely friendly. Professional technicians, and great facilities.

Alek A.

The entire staff is kind, caring and compassionate. They go above and beyond professionalism. This should be a training center, so they can show how it's done!

Donna W.

Dr. Pena was very attentive to my problem and provided instant relief.

Kristie S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

This wellness and rehab center is amazing. The staff, in special Dr. Exposito, go above and beyond to make you feel like a family member. The center is extremely clean, the equipment is top of the line.

Lisandra M.

Everyone here has a great attitude and are always calm, courteous and professional. They have been taking very good care of me and treat my 3 year old son with so much love and care.

Pey B.

The staff members here are really friendly, and dedicated to helping you feel better as fast as possible.

Brian B.

I ended up coming here for treatment after a car accident. I was reluctant at first, but the staff here couldn't be more accommodating. Everyone is friendly, professional, and caring.

R.B.

Causes of TBIs

Falls are the most common cause of emergency department visits due to TBIs, followed by object strikes, motor vehicle accidents, and assault (1). Approximately 10 percent of TBIs are the result of sports and recreation (2). 

Individuals who are 75 years of age or older are the age group most likely to experience a hospitalization and/or death due to a TBI (3). Males are also more at risk for experiencing a TBI-induced hospitalization or death (3).

TBI Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of TBIs span a wide range and can vary immensely in severity and duration. Some individuals with TBIs may not even experience any signs or symptoms.

Therefore, it is pertinent to receive the help of a professional in assessing neurological integrity if an individual, family member, or friend has experienced an event or force that was applied to the head and could potentially have injured the brain.  

Because older adults are the most at-risk age group for contracting a TBI and frequently experience falls, the possibility of these injuries should remain on the table even if the primary diagnosis is a fracture or other injury from a fall (3).

Some symptoms of TBIs include loss of consciousness, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, and even remaining in a comatose state in the case of a more severe injury (4). Other common symptoms are more cognitive or behavioral in nature such as agitation, memory changes, difficulty focusing, feelings of confusion, and post-traumatic amnesia (2, 3). 

Speech and sensory changes such as hypersensitivity to light are also common (2). Physical symptoms may include headaches, convulsions or seizures, numbness, difficulty coordinating movements, and pupil dilation (4).

Types of TBIs

TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, and severe.

  • Mild TBIs are normal structural imaging, loss of consciousness lasting 30 minutes or less, altered consciousness or mental state of 24 hours or less, post-traumatic amnesia lasting one day or less, and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 to 15 (5).
  • Moderate TBIs can include normal or abnormal imaging, loss of consciousness ranging from more than 30 minutes to less than 24 hours, altered consciousness or mental state lasting more than 24 hours, post-traumatic amnesia ranging from more than one day to less than one week, and a GCS score of 9 to 12 (5). 
  • Severe TBIs are diagnosed by normal or abnormal structural imaging, loss of consciousness of more than 24 hours, altered consciousness or mental state variable based on other criteria, post-traumatic amnesia lasting more than one week, and a GCS score of less than 9 (5). Not all criteria from each severity level must be met for a TBI to fall into that corresponding category–however, if criteria from multiple categories are fulfilled, then the more severe classification is upheld (5). 

TBI Treatment

If you've experienced head trauma or symptoms of a TBI, get evaluated by a neurological physician as soon as possible. If you've suffered a TBI, your neurologist will grade the severity and provide appropriate care.

More severe TBIs can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain, which can compromise essential bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate regulation. If these functions are impaired, this can create medical complications and even potentially result in death.

Mild TBIs are typically treated through rest, avoiding strenuous physical and mental activity, limiting screen time, and possibly taking prescribed medications until signs and symptoms subside (3).

Moderate to severe TBIs can benefit from treatment from speech language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to assess and rehabilitate from the injury, especially when it involves speech issues, pain, balance and vestibular issues, and deconditioning. 

Individuals with mild TBIs who have persisting signs and symptoms that are not improving or are slow to improve can also benefit from these rehabilitation services.

Severe TBIs may warrant surgical intervention for hematoma repairs or contusions in addition to prescribed medication (6). 
 

References:
  1. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/tbi_report_to_congress_epi_and_rehab-a.pdf
  2. https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Sports-related-Head-Injury#:~:text=There%20are%20an%20estimated%201.7,to%20sports%20and%20recreational%20activities.
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/index.html
  4. https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.html
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK189784/ 
  6. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury

Three convenient Florida locations serving you.

Our Neurology (TBI) Team

Jose A. Marquez, MD

Jose A. Marquez, MD

Neurologist

Common Questions

See a neurological physician who is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of TBIs. You may also treat with rehabilitation specialists such as speech, physical, and occupational therapists for help alleviating specific symptoms.

Brain injuries commonly go undiagnosed, and symptoms can be delayed. You should see a neurologist as soon as possible after experiencing head trauma that could result in a TBI, or after experiencing signs and symptoms that may indicate a TBI.

Treatment time varies greatly based on the severity of the injury. Patients with mild TBIs may partially or even fully recover in as little as three weeks. Recovery from moderate and severe TBIs may take months or years. 

This is largely dependent on the severity of the TBI and your symptoms. While most patients with mild to moderate TBIs will make a full recovery, this is not always the case. Complete recovery from a severe TBI is not impossible, but is unlikely.

Wear a seat belt when traveling, and a helmet when participating in recreational or sporting activities that could result in head trauma. Balance training and fall prevention programs can also help mitigate risk of TBIs caused by falls. 

Patients Love Us!

Schedule an appointment today and join our patient family.

Schedule Now

The best of the best. I was injured but the love and care I got was second to none.

Chad D.

All the therapists were amazing, very professional and helped me al lot in my recovery. I feel great again.

Lina M.

Amazing staff, and extremely friendly. Professional technicians, and great facilities.

Alek A.

The entire staff is kind, caring and compassionate. They go above and beyond professionalism. This should be a training center, so they can show how it's done!

Donna W.

Dr. Pena was very attentive to my problem and provided instant relief.

Kristie S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

This wellness and rehab center is amazing. The staff, in special Dr. Exposito, go above and beyond to make you feel like a family member. The center is extremely clean, the equipment is top of the line.

Lisandra M.

Everyone here has a great attitude and are always calm, courteous and professional. They have been taking very good care of me and treat my 3 year old son with so much love and care.

Pey B.

The staff members here are really friendly, and dedicated to helping you feel better as fast as possible.

Brian B.

I ended up coming here for treatment after a car accident. I was reluctant at first, but the staff here couldn't be more accommodating. Everyone is friendly, professional, and caring.

R.B.
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