In last week’s blog I listed a statistic that 75% of traumatic brain injuries are considered mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), also known as concussions.
Concussions are often misdiagnosed or can be missed completely, leading to many gray areas when it comes to effectively managing one and ensuring that you receive the right treatment.
What is not gray though is the fact that concussions can have long-term repercussions and if you aren’t treated in a timely fashion, the extent of the impact can be significantly heightened. This cannot be stressed enough! The bottom line here is the earlier a concussion is recognized, the better the outcome and prevention of further injury. Complications can be much greater for the younger and the older population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a concussion as a mild form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth (i.e. whiplash). Leading causes of a concussion include motor vehicle related injuries, falls, assaults, playing sports and unintentionally being struck by and against an obstacle.
While termed as “mild”, given concussions are usually not life threatening, their effects can be quite serious and life long.
What are the common symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury/concussion in adults?*
Physical
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Seeing stars or lights
Balance problems
Dizziness
Sensitivity to light or noise
Tinnitus
Behavioral/Emotional
Drowsiness
Fatigue/lethargy
Irritation
Depression
Anxiety
Sleeping more than usual
Difficulty falling asleep
Cognitive
Feeling “slowed down”
Feeling “in a fog” or “dazed”
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty remembering
*Source: Guidelines for Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Symptoms – Ontario Neurotrama Foundation (for adults age 18+)
While full recovery is highly probable within 3 months after sustaining a mild TBI/concussion, it’s estimated that 15% of people experience ongoing symptoms.
Below are a few of the factors that can influence the long-term effects of a concussion.
If you believe you may have sustained a concussion seek out medical treatment as soon as possible as timing is crucial. A physician can complete a full assessment to determine the level of severity, address any complications that may be present (i.e. is there a need to make adjustments to any regular medication you are on?) and most importantly, provide recommendations to help you in making a full and complete recovery. If your symptoms are longer term then you will want to continue on with targeted rehabilitation to address the areas of concern.
Be sure to get plenty of rest after a concussion, your brain needs this to heal. Resist the urge you may have on feeling a strong need to get things done or being concerned about how your workload is going to pile up if you have to miss a few days in the office.
Avoid activities that are physically demanding or that require a great deal of concentration for the first little while as these could slow down your recovery process.
Also be sure to avoid recreational activities that could lead to a second concussion while your brain is still in the healing process (i.e. wakeboarding, soccer, ATV’ing, etc.) as any excessive jarring motion could trigger one. Your Doctor can advise you when it’s safe to return to your regular activities. This is key as the number of concussions that you endure is often directly related to predicting long-term outcomes.
It’s a known fact that subsequent concussions and the frequency rate (i.e. 2 in one month) can do serious damage.
Don’t consume alcohol until your Doctor gives you the sign as alcohol can also slow down your recovery.
While the information I have provided here pertains to adults, youth are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to concussions and the potential for longer-term impact. A large part of this is due to the fact that the frontal lobes of the human brain continue to develop until age 25, therefore, symptoms may not appear for several years after the injury once the part of the brain that was damaged further develops. It’s therefore vital to manage youth concussions very carefully to ensure optimal neurological development and outcomes.
On the Free Resources section of my website I provide a great resource of tips for parents and caregivers that address symptoms and provides recommendations on the best form of treatment for mTBI’s in youths age 5-18.
Let’s all make the safety and health of our brain a priority!
0
0
0
0
Leave a Comment