VOLUME I, ISSUE 1
CONCUSSIONS: A CLOSER LOOK
11-24-09
MICDS
Special Points of Interest: What is a concussion? How do you know that you have a concussion? What is the best treatment for a concussion? What are the possible future effects of a concussion?
AN OVERVIEW By definition, a concussion is a brain injury caused by a sudden blow to the head or neck. At impact, the brain slams against the skull and leaves a bruise. This temporarily prevents the brain from working at its normal level. Since the brain is the command center of the entire body, this can make ones entire body function at a much lower level. Depending on the severity, many different symptoms can occur, anywhere from dizziness, to lack of focus. The concussion will heal within a week (again depending on the severity) if the proper coping methods are taken. Rest is probably the most important step to healing
from a concussion because it helps you to avoid the use of your brain. The biggest problem with concussions is when people ignore them. Some people choose to continue their daily lives as they previously lived them. The brain/body will not function correctly: the person will have a hard time focusing and their productivity will decline. This also exposes the person to the risk of getting another concussion. Most severe cases of concussions are usually when someone gets a concussion, and then gets another before the previous one heals. This will damage the brain even more than the first, and make it harder to heal. Repeated
concussions can also lead to much more serious problems (brain disease etc.) that will last forever. Some concussions, if strong enough, can even lead to death. Although it may seem as if every aspect of the concussion has been discovered, researchers are constantly finding more and more information about concussions. Recently, a study has shown that many people who suffer from depression have had a concussion. Hundreds of retired NFL players who had received concussions in their careers have been diagnosed with clinical depression.
Inside this issue:
THE SYMPTOMS The symptoms of a concussion include:
dizziness
nausea
vomiting
headaches
blurry vision
sensitivity to light,
sensitivity to noise
Change in sleep patterns Irritability Sadness/depression Stronger emotions Lack of physical ability
Many of these symptoms will not occur until a day or two after the concussion. These symptoms can be mild, however they can also by very
The damage done to the brain from a concussion
severe. If any of these symptoms are found after sustaining a head injury, one should immediately seek medical assistance, because the brain is one the most important, if not the most important, part of the human body.
An Overview
1
The Symptoms
1
The Brain
2
Concussions Are Compounding
2
How to Cope With A Con- 2 cussion
The Long Term Effects
3 3
Priorities
3
Page 2
CONCUSSIONS: A CLOSE R LOOK
THE BRAIN The brain is divided into 6 main regions: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, and the brain stem. Each lobe has certain specific functions, for example: The frontal lobe controls behavior, choices, problem solving, motor function, memory, etc. The frontal lobe is very susceptible to injury because of its location. Each lobe of the brain has a left side, and a right side, and each side has an even more specific function. At a general glance, the right side of your brain is usually associated with being random, in-
tuitive, subjective, looking at wholes, etc. The left side of your brain is usually logical, rational, analytical, objective, and it usually looks at the parts instead of the big picture. Some people use each side equally, however most people are dominant with one side. It is usually advised however, to have equal use of each side. This is great because you can be creative and imaginative, and then be down to the point and efficient when the time is right. The brain is great: it is so complex and so important to human life. A concussion, however will ruin it.
CONCUSSIONS ARE COMPOUNDING
“There is no such thing as a minor concussion” ~American Academy of Neurology
What is compounding? What does it mean? Take for a example, a cigarette. Smoke one and, for the most part, you will be absolutely fine. The problem with cigarettes is, you can’t just smoke one. Cigarettes are addicting; smoke one cigarette and you’ll end up smoking hundreds maybe even thousands. Smoking a thousand cigarettes will give you a compounding effect: every cigarette you smoke is worse for you than
the previous one. Concussions are the same. One concussion isn’t going to kill you, nor is it going to make much of a difference in your brain function after it has completely healed. Each concussion you get after that however, can be received with less impact, and still cause greater damage. Many athletes who have had 10+ concussions are left nearly brain dead after their career is over, even if none of these
concussions seemed to be that bad. The worst case is when someone gets a concussion, and then receives another within the next week or so, because the previous one has not yet healed. This can cause all kinds of brain diseases and you will never completely heal. Unlike cigarettes, however, you can just have one concussion. If you are serious about your success in life, you should take concussions very seriously, and try
HOW TO COPE WITH A CONCUSSION What’s the best treatment fro a concussion? Well if you have already received a CAT scan and made sure that there is no internal bleeding, the only thing you can do is rest. This, however is very important. If you do not rest, things will not heal in time, and you are at risk receiving another concussion. If you are able to skip work or school for the first few days (if severe enough) do so.
If you continue your everyday life, you will probably: 1.
Recover much slower
2.
Be at risk of further brain damage
3.
End up getting less work done. For example, if you rest your brain will be damaged for a week and after that you will get sold work done, however if you don’t rest your brain may stay damaged for months, meaning you will be doing poor work for months which is obviously less effective
Page 3
V O LU M E 1 , I S S U E 1
THE LONG TERM EFFECTS After receiving multiple concussions, there is basically no escaping these symptoms:
Headaches For the remainder your life, you will have relentless headaches that make you want to hurt someone. Its not because they hurt, but because they never seem to go away.
Symptoms
Basic concussion symptoms (see page 1)
Inability to focus
No loss of consciousness
Its not complete Alzheimer's, but it seems close to it. Depending on the severity of the concussions received, remembering things gets a lot harder. You won’t remember some things from before the concussion, and you will find it harder to remember things in recent days
This may sound a little frank, however it’s the truth: you will be a lot less smart than before. This includes focus, problem solving, productivity, the ability to attain knowledge (and then retain it). Like it or not, your IQ is basically going straight down, and you will NEVER be as smart as you could have been.
Similar to Grade 1, however, symptoms last longer than 15 minutes Extra Info
Memory from preceding events can be affected. Still no loss of consciousness.
PRIORITIES Almost everyone loves playing sports. Sports allow us to keep in great shape, and they also help build great life skills such as teamwork. Many people love sports because they are a great way to get away from a stressful life. There is a problem, however. As this chart shows, when playing football (as well as other contact sports such as hockey and rugby), you are susceptible to a concussion, and there is no doubt about it. The
The Worst Part...
Symptoms
Extra Info 90% of concussions are Grade 1. It is the most difficult concussion to diagnose, however, because trainers/ physicians may not see many immediate symptoms. This is dangerous if the athlete remains active.
Memory Problems
question is, what is more important to the young, growing individual: playing a contact sport, or succeeding in life? I am not saying that someone should quit an activity that they love, however there is a line that must be drawn. One concussion, and you are done. Why waste your natural mental abilities for something that realistically will not bring you to success?
Symptoms
Similar to Grades 1 and 2, however symptoms may last for weeks, Extra Info
THERE IS LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
For Additional Information: National
Local
Sports Concussion Institute
Performance Chiropractic
www.concussiontreatment.com
www.murphydc.com/default.htm
310-643-9595
636-536-3622
5230 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 300
4 West Drive, Suite 100
L.A., CA 90045
Chesterfield, MO 63017
School
Website
Stacey Morgan
The Best Health Teacher Ever Also the trainer at MICDS
This website is easy to read, and it should cover any questions you still may have about concussions.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/concussion. html
Recently the congress is getting involved with the NFL; they believe that players are being allowed back in the game too soon after a concussion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfnz2N76k_8
Bibliography Flickr. “Concussions.” www.flickr.com. 11-22-09