A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

Happy Brain Injury Awareness Month!

Sports and Concussions is The Brain Injury Association of America’s theme for this year’s Brain Injury Awareness month, more specifically youth sports.  This is particularly relevant right now. Recent studies have that shown that when the repeated concussions often incurred in sports are not given time to heal it can lead to “Chronic Traumatic Encephalophy” (CTE).  This degenerative disease is the only preventable cause of dementia and is similar to early onset Alzheimer’s.

 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1.6-2.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year.  This statistic becomes even more alarming when paired with a recent study in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, which reports that barely half of student athletes reported their concussions. In a chilling example, the autopsy of an 18-year-old high school athlete revealed the student to already have CTE – the youngest recorded case. 

 

We cannot allow this gruesome warning to go unheeded.  We must take action. It is imperative that we educate students and parents.

 

 Concussion can be caused by any blow to the head, regardless of loss of consciousness.  Some signs may include:

-       Confusion

-       Blurred Vision

-       Light Sensitivity

-       Dizziness

-       Nausea or Vomiting

-       Forgetfulness or memory loss

-       Perseveration (endless repetition of a thought or question)

-       Ringing in the ears

-       Slurred Speech

-       Mood or cognitive disturbances

-       Sleep Disturbances

-       Fatigue (wearing out easily)

-       Irritability

-       Impaired Balance

   

 

The Mayo Clinic, one of the top ten rehabilitation hospitals in the country, advises that it is extremely important to seek immediate medical attention if you or your loved one experiences:

 

-       Prolonged Dizziness

-       Disturbances in Vision

-       Nausea or Vomiting

-       Impaired Balance

-       Prolonged Memory Loss

-       Ringing in the Ears

-       Loss of Smell or Taste

Let’s use this month to do everything we can to prevent more people from going through this ordeal. Visit the Brain Injury Association of America’s website: 

http://www.biausa.org/biam.htm.  Spread the word – tell your friends with children.  Parents, talk to your kids, reach out to your local PTA about getting your children’s school to hold brain injury awareness assemblies.   Just as the saying goes: stitch in time saves nine – a little effort now may save you the enormous hardship of rehabilitation, or worse...  Let’s all use this month to raise awareness and reduce the number brain injuries.  We can do it.

 

 The Brain Injury Association of Americahttp://www.biausa.org/biam.htm

Tackling Brain Injuries  http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/02/01/tackling_brain_injuries/

 

Teen Football Players Still Dying, Experts Say Better Safety Measures Needed http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485744,00.html

 

Experts Tackle Head Injury Problem http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1118758239/Experts-tackle-head-injury-problem

 

Devastating impact 

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090112/A_SPORTS09/901120317/-1/A_SPORTS

 

Mayo Clinic: Symptoms of Concussion http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320/DSECTION=symptoms

 

Mayo Clinic: Concussion: When to Seek Medical Advice

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320/DSECTION=when%2Dto%2Dseek%2Dmedical%2Dadvice

 

Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy Announces New Findings http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-01/bu-cft012709.php

Brain Injury Awareness Month - Faces of Brain Injury

Did you know March is TBI Awareness Month?  

If you already knew then you're one step ahead of me - I didn't have a clue until last week when my contact at the Northeast Center asked me if I had seen their Brain Injury Awareness site.

http://brain-aware.northeastcenter.com/

The Northeast Center takes their 2009, "Faces of Brain Injury," theme very seriously.  Through 12 downloadable Brain Injury Awareness Month Posters, they seek to humanize this condition and show that the faces of injury are as varied as the injuries themselves.  Brain Injury awareness not only celebrates survivors, but also spouses, parents, siblings, doctors, therapists, advocates, and every member of this diverse group of individuals from an array of other backgrounds making this community.

Put a poster up in your office or at school, let a friend know a little more about how you are related to TBI,  talk to someone you meet this month.  It doesn't have to be a big deal, but if all of the members of this community work just a little harder to help put a face to brain injury, then think what we can do towards raising awareness.  This month, let's make strides towards making the invisible injury visible...