Capital District Times

Each year, over two million Americans experience brain injuries, often as concussions. Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady treats hundreds of these cases annually, receiving referrals from doctors and hospitals across upstate New York and western New England. These injuries arise from various unpredictable situations and can have lasting effects.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, highlighting the issue of acquired brain injury (ABI). ABI refers to brain injuries that alter nerve cells and are classified into traumatic and non-traumatic categories.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves disruptions in normal brain function due to external forces such as falls, assaults, motor vehicle accidents, physical abuse, gunshot wounds, or sports injuries. Non-traumatic brain injuries result from internal factors like strokes, anoxia (lack of oxygen), seizures, tumors, drug overdoses, or metabolic disorders.

The immediate effects of a brain injury include biochemical and physiological responses that damage brain cells. Such injuries can impact physical abilities, cognitive functions, behavior, or communication skills. Severity is categorized as mild, moderate, or severe and significantly influences long-term outcomes regarding independence and functioning.

Brain injuries may lead to long-term challenges with movement, communication, memory, vision, thinking skills, or reasoning abilities. Emotional and personality changes are also common post-injury. However, specialized rehabilitation programs aim to enhance recovery and functional outcomes for patients.

Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital offers specialized care for individuals with brain injuries through its nationally recognized program. Recently accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for another three years after a thorough review of its services and outcomes. The hospital has also earned CARF accreditation for spinal cord injury programs along with stroke and amputation programs.

Recovery from a brain injury requires time and specialized care. Sunnyview provides a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services including concussion management programs and driving centers to support patients' reintegration into school work or daily life activities.

Advanced technology aids patient mobility recovery at Sunnyview using resources like the Litegait System RT300 Leg and Arm Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy System Burt Upper-Limb therapy robot Xcite Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy System ReWalk Ekso robotic exoskeletons Vector Mobility Balance System all part of an $11 million expansion renovation project.

For more information about assistance available at Sunnyview contact 518-382-4516 or visit their website: Brain Injury | Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital | Schenectady NY