What are some of the main medical treatments for traumatic brain injury?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is typically treated with monitoring and strategies for returning to daily activities, whereas moderate to severe cases require emergency neurological life support and may involve surgery to relieve pressure on the brain. Once stable, people with TBI may also receive noninvasive treatments like osmotic therapy to manage pressure.

    Mild TBI can be treated with monitoring and appropriate strategies for returning to normal daily activities and sport. This doesn’t usually require medication, although medicines for managing symptoms like pain and nausea could be used.[1]

    In moderate to severe cases, patients receive emergency neurological life support with an emphasis on monitoring pressure on the brain. Surgery to relieve this pressure may be necessary.[2] Once the patient is stable, monitoring of the pressure will continue and patients may receive non-invasive treatments to reduce the pressure, such as osmotic therapy. [3]

    What are some of the main medical treatments for traumatic brain injury? - Examine