9 minutes 24 seconds ago by Lindsay MacLeod, KSBY News
People who have had a traumatic brain injury are three times more likely to die early than the general population.
A traumatic brain injury is a severe blow to the head that causes skull fracture, internal bleeding, or loss of consciousness for longer than an hour.
A new study found people who survive six months after that kind of injury are more likely to die before the age of 56 than their peers.
Suicide and fatal injuries like a car accident are the most common reasons for early death. That suggests brain trauma may damage parts of the brain linked to judgement, decision making, and risk taking.
Concussions are not considered traumatic brain injuries.
