The dangers of playing football, at any level, have been well documented. Though the sport has made modest attempts at protecting its players in recent years, such safeguards simply aren’t enough. The devastated lives of many former NFL players give testimony to this fact.
Eye-opening reports in the media and films like Concussion have served as a wake-up call to many who are now taking steps to protect their future. A recent trend in the NFL has seen several high-profile players retiring early over health concerns. Also raising eyebrows in the football community is the recent resignation of a prominent analyst who could no longer, in good conscience, support a sport that celebrates vicious hits that aren’t safe for the brain. However, these cases represent the faintest glimmer of reform in a sport that leaves its players with cognitive and memory issues so severe that it may become exceedingly difficult for many of them to navigate the challenges of life down the road.
And while the news headlines have focused primarily on professional athletes and veterans, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are occurring every day among the general population. Falls, sport-related injuries, assaults, and accidents lead to nearly 2 million ER visits every year, on top of the hundreds of thousands of head traumas that are never reported, and therefore, never diagnosed.
Undiagnosed Concussions are a Serious Problem
Even mild TBI’s can have far-reaching health consequences. Head injuries are a major cause of psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, substance abuse and even memory issues and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or someone you know has suffered a concussion or TBI, don’t delay in implementing these five brain healthy strategies:
Know the Symptoms
While some people display warning signs immediately following a TBI, others don’t develop symptoms until weeks or even months later. The result of this delay is that the underlying cause of the symptoms is often forgotten. Here are some of the most common symptoms of mild to moderate TBI and concussions:
Confusion
Difficulty with concentration and paying attention
Memory problems
Difficulty with word finding
Mental and/or physical fatigue
Sleep problems
Sensitivity to noise and/or light
Moodiness
Anger outbursts
Increased anxiety
Social isolation
Vision problems
Balance problems
Nausea
Ask the Right Questions
All too often concussions are not taken seriously unless a person has noticeable symptoms right after the head injury occurs. Many times, clinicians don’t know how to ask their patients about previous head injuries. However, it’s vitally important to ask patients multiple times and in multiple ways, because they often forget or dismiss such incidents as inconsequential. But every brain injury matters—even sub-concussive events. If you don’t already have a set of questions for assessing a head injury, consider using this list.
Seek Recovery
If you’ve had a concussion or TBI, the good news is that it is possible to rehabilitate your brain! You truly are not stuck with the brain you have—even if you’ve been bad to it. Here are some brain healthy ways to recover what you’ve lost.
Practice Brain Safety
Even though protecting your head should be a no-brainer, it’s useful to remind you of some practical brain safety tips that can reduce your risk for TBI and concussion:
Don’t do “headers” in soccer
Avoid high-risk sports and activities where you can hit your head
Always wear your seatbelt when in a vehicle
Always wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard, snowboard, skis, or rollerblades.
Take a Look
How can you really know if you have a head injury unless you get an image of your brain? Brain SPECT imaging is the best tool for determining if your brain has suffered functional damage from a concussion or TBI—CT and MRI studies aren’t sensitive enough to do this.
Concussion SPECT scan from a 21-year-old football player.
Our Full Evaluation includes two SPECT images (concentrating and resting states), a detailed clinical history, neuropsychological testing and comprehensive evaluation with one of our doctors to target treatment specifically to your brain, using the least toxic, most effective means.
If you’ve had a concussion or TBI and are experiencing anxiety, depression, aggressive behaviors, or memory loss, call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit
