Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussions, cause damage to the brain and can have serious effects on an individual. Recovery time varies depending upon the severity of the injury. For some, it can take months or longer to recover fully. Unfortunately, some people never return to their previous level of functioning after a TBI.
Causes of Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any blow to the head or severe shaking of the head can cause a concussion or TBI
Sports injuries
Some sports are well known to cause concussions, usually contact sports like football, soccer, or wrestling.
Falling
The higher the height, the more serious the brain injury can be. However, even falls from a lower level, like rolling off a bed, can result in a TBI.
Automobile and bicycle accidents
Brain injuries can be caused by impact to the head or the sudden jolt of a collision.
Violence and combat
Being near an explosion can cause a TBI, as can penetrating wounds from shrapnel or bullets. Also, domestic violence, including shaken baby syndrome, are common causes.
Many People Who Have Had A Concussion Or Traumatic Brain Injury Will Experience Changes In Their Cognitive Functioning, Executive Functioning, And Communication. It may be more difficult to focus and take longer to process thoughts. These problems can cause frustration, conflict and misunderstanding for people with a concussion or traumatic brain injury, as well as family members. It is also common to see changes in behavior, emotions, and senses.
Cognitive problems
Memory, learning, reasoning, judgement, and attention or concentration.
Executive functioning problems
Problem solving, multi-tasking, organization, planning, decision making, and beginning or completing tasks.
Communication problems
Difficulty understanding speech or writing, difficulty speaking or writing, inability to organize thoughts and ideas, and trouble following conversations.
Behavioral changes
Difficulty with self-control, lack of awareness of abilities, risky behavior, difficulty in social situations, and verbal or physical outbursts.
Emotional changes
Depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, lack of empathy for others, anger, and insomnia.
Sensory changes
Ringing in the ears, difficulty recognizing objects, impaired eye-hand coordination, blind spots or double vision, trouble with balance or dizziness, and skin tingling, pain, or itching.
NEUROFEEDBACK FOR CONCUSSIONS AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Emerald Coast Neurofeedback provides a comprehensive evaluation that helps determine the best protocol to retrain your brain after injury. During neurofeedback sessions your brain will be provided thousands of opportunities to learn. This repetition helps create changes in your brain’s behavior. Neurofeedback gives the brain the opportunity to learn to return its brainwaves back to normal, relieving the brain of unpleasant symptoms following a concussion, such as headaches and memory loss.
An example of neurofeedback retraining the brain after a traumatic brain injury happened with a man who had suffered a severe head injury 6 years prior to him starting neurofeedback on the same system used at Emerald Coast Neurofeedback. He couldn’t swallow, was tube fed, and couldn’t walk or talk. After completing 3 neurofeedback sessions, his ability to swallow came back and the tube was removed from his stomach. After 12 sessions, he began walking unassisted and could talk again.
A concern with repeated concussions or brain injuries is what can occur in the future. Research is being done on the relationship between degenerative brain diseases and traumatic brain injuries. Some research suggests there could be a link to an increase in the risk of degenerative brain diseases, as in the case with boxers and dementia pugilistica.
Degenerative Brain Diseases
Alzheimer’s disease
Causes the progressive loss of memory and other thinking skills.
Parkinson’s disease
A progressive condition that causes movement problems, tremors, rigidity, and slow movements.
Dementia pugilistica
Most often associated with repetitive blows to the head in career boxing and causes symptoms of dementia and movement problems.
Additional resources for concussions and brain injuries
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557