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This is the month of traumatic brain injury awareness month and because thee is so much confusion about this problem, I am writing this newsletter to shed some light.
A Traumatic brain injury can be caused a number of ways; it could result from a physical blow to the head, while playing a sport (not just football) or banging your head on something such as a low tree branch. Damage can also occur if there is penetration through the skull such as a bullet. But it’s important to note that the brain can sustain damage without that “blow to the head” such as shaken baby syndrome and whiplash; these injuries jar the brain and cause it to move within the skull.
Brain injury can have different results.
Concussions: Caused by shaking sudden movement or years ago we thought someone had to be rendered unconscious to qualify for a concussion, but now we know there can be significant damage done without loss of consciousness. Signs of a concussion are confusion, disorientation, temporary (or permanent) loss of motor skills, dilated eyes and slurred speech.
Contusions: Is bruising or lesion on the brain from impact. These will show up on imaging
Penetration: When the skull is actually broken.
Each of these has different severity levels. Mild concussion often goes unnoticed – which can be dangerous. Likely with less severe injury there is no evidence on imaging studies. Research is also showing us 2 important things; one after each concussion it takes less force to cause damage two, constant mild damage can lead to changes in the brain functions and structure. A Moderate concussion is when the loss of consciousness lasts up to a few hours and confusion can last up to a few weeks. Complications from this level of injury can last for months or even be permanent. Severe brain injuries are life threatening and there is no doubt that immediate action needs to be taken.
I personally believe that the biggest problem with this level of injury is if the person gets re-injured before the first concussion is fully healed. This can be a problem if the first injury isn’t diagnosed and precautions are taken.
Sometimes I think precautions are taken to an extreme especially in high school sports. People are so willing to diagnose a concussion today maybe for fear of lawsuits in the future but it’s a good thing to be safe rather than sorry.
Hope this clears some things up some of the confusion about this subject which is what the awareness month is all about.
#StayHealthyOmaha
Dr. Jack Bleitz DC
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