Services offer resources against TBI, which affects nearly four million Veterans and civilians each year

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Veterans Foundation is proud to announce the launch of WhatIsTBI.org, and their new hotline, (800) 366-8823, to educate the military community and the public about the catastrophic effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The NVF has partnered with TBI expert Dr. Chrisanne Gordon to create a comprehensive website and hotline that offers information on TBI's symptoms and lifelong medical and psychological effects.

Few conditions in medicine today are associated with more varying definitions or confusing inclusion criteria than TBI.

TBI is a brain injury stemming from an external force which leads to temporary or permanent impairments in cognitive, behavioral, and physical functions, with outcomes ranging from complete recovery to permanent disability or death.

Symptoms include headaches, photophobia, ringing in the ears, sleep disturbance and dizziness. Additional effects include loss of mapping skills, and delayed reaction times. Veterans stricken with TBI face unemployment, divorce, depression and suicide at rates higher than non-Veterans with TBI.

TBI has affected 20% of the 1.5 million troops who have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. The injury has led to between 30 and 50 percent of the fatalities of soldiers who have fought in Iraq.

However, TBI is not limited to combat injuries, as recreational activities lead to 3.8 million civilian cases each year.

WhatIsTBI.org, and the hotline, (800) 366-8823, offer information, screening tools, vital resources, diagnoses, treatment options and a newsletter distributing headlines and medical news about TBI.

National Veterans Foundation:

The National Veterans Foundation is a Veterans Service Organization that has served America's Veterans for over 25 years. Their experienced and trained staff has helped over 350,000 Veterans in crisis. NVF serves the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families.

Programs include the Lifeline for Vets™, the Street Team Outreach Program, Veteran Advocacy Program, and Jobs for Vets.

NVF's founder, Shad Meshad, is a Veteran and one of the country's most sought-after experts on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

SOURCE National Veterans Foundation

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http://www.WhatIsTBI.org