Articles Posted in Brain Injuires

Recent reports have highlighted the growing concern that student athletes are being pushed too quickly to return to the game after receiving a concussion. Concussions – or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – result from a blunt trauma to the head. Commonly occurring after car accidents or other types of injury accidents, the harm to the brain is the same. Those who suffer TBIs experience dizziness, loss of concentration, short-term memory lapses, and even speech and cognitive delays.

In order to address the concern that those students who suffer TBIs are being forced to reenter the game too quickly, New Mexico, along with several other states have laws which require athletes to be removed from play or practice if a concussion is suspected.

Congress has now begun holding hearings to determine whether a federal concussion law is warranted.
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According to a recently released study, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have now been linked to the onset of several debilitating diseases. Commonly associated with birth trauma, car accidents, and sport’s injuries, TBIs have now been shown to set off a neurological process associated with Alzheimer’s, sleep apnea, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Complicating matters, TBIs are often difficult to detect and may be initially overlooked. Brain injury symptoms that occur as a result of sudden trauma such as a car accident or birth trauma may not manifest for several months, prolonging treatment and rehabilitation.

Although it may be difficult to prevent malpractice or other injury accidents from occurring, educating yourself about the signs of TBIs can help reduce the likelihood of requiring significant lifelong care.

Signs to look for include:

• Memory lapses
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Speech difficulties
• Loss of consciousness
• For infants, developmental delays
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Recent studies have revealed that the military medical system has failed to diagnose traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) in hundreds, if not thousands, of troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many times, these individuals receive little or no treatment for the effects of these debilitating injuries.

TBIs from the war are often mild and occur as the result of shock waves from roadside bombs which shake through soldiers skulls and brains, similar to a TBI caused by a car accident, resulting in both physical and mental injuries. Officials estimate about 115,000 troops have suffered TBIs, but others say the figure is much higher.

Even mild TBIs can lead to long-term problems such as

• Lapses in memory and cognition
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with coordination
• Emotional issues
• Dizziness

However, unlike car accident victims who are often monitored for head injuries, even when TBIs are diagnosed in troops, the information may not be officially documented and the soldiers fail to receive adequate treatment.

If treated early on, the effects of a traumatic brain injuries can be lessened, and help improve both memory and decision-making. If left untreated though, symptoms can worsen to the point where victims can no longer drive, understand what they’ve read or recall much of their past.
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