Welcome! We look forward to answering your questions. Deb Swearingen, Brain Injury Coordinator, will begin the chat right at noon.
11:59
Today we are talking about concussion. A concussion can be classified as mild to severe and affects the function of the brain. It often occurs after a blow or jolt to the head. It may or may not involve loss of consciousness. 12:07
[Comment From Guest ] i hit my head by rolling down the steps and my head was bleeding and i had to get stiches. what are my symptoms that i dont know about when i get older? 12:09
Thank you for the question. It is not uncommon to have signs and symptoms of a concussion, such as headache, fatigue, and sometimes even feeling a little "foggy" after having a head injury. Most people do not experience any problem with prolonged symptoms as they age. 12:10
Most patients do not have problems from a single concussion. Patients who have had numerous concussions tend to have more problems as they age. 12:11
[Comment From Julie] I had a blackout /concussion due to a MVA. Since that happened I became a much angrier, moodier and depressed. I alo had my bipolar dx 8 months after the concussion. Is this all related? How can it be reversed ,or can it? I feel lost! 12:17
Thank you for the question Julie. It sounds like you may have more than one medical condition going on. Motor vehicle accidents can be a major cause of concussion. It sounds like you may have had a period of loss of consciousness. This is most likely unrelated to your diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Recovery from a concussion includes physical and cognitive (thinking) rest of brain. What I mean is that we would ask you to avoid physical and mental stress until your brain has time to heal. Please contact your personal physician regarding your specific symptoms and recovery. 12:21
Motor vehicle accidents, falls, recreational injuries, as well as sports can be common causes of concussion. Parents, athletes, and coaches may be interested in joining ProHealth Care Neuroscience Center on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at Waukesha South High School Auditorium to hear Dr. Mike McCrea speak about assessing concussion in sports. 12:25
Dr. McCrea will speak on the new Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sports which includes how to return a player to the game and how to identify symptoms which would prevent an athlete from returning to play. Please register by calling Nurse-On-Line at 262-544-2745. 12:25
[Comment From MJ] My son plays high school football. My concern is that he will have a head injury. What are some of the symptoms I should look for? 12:28
This is a great question which many parents have, especially during this time of year. Symptoms of concussion can vary. Players can have physical signs, cognitive signs, or both. Common signs of concussion are headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, feeling as if they were in a fog, difficulty concentrating, and mood may be affected. 12:29
[Comment From L.H.] Are migraines associated in any way with head injuries? 12:36
Thank you for the question regarding migraine headaches and concussion. Headaches are very common symptom of concussion and can be associated with noise and light sensitivity. However, migraine headaches are not caused by a concussion, but patients with a history of migraines can experience more severe symptoms. 12:37
[Comment From Guest] When I was growing up we never wore helmets while riding our bikes. Come to find out head injuries are one of the main causes of death in young children. Do concussions occur by hitting any part of your head is it the front or back side that need to be protected the most? 12:43
Thank you for this great question. Due to laws like safety belts, car seats, and decreased speed limits we have been able to keep our children safer than when we were kids. There is not one area of the head that is more vulnerable than another. Injuries to any part of the head have the potential to cause concussion or more serious brain injury. Bike helmets have helped reduce head injuries in patients of all ages. 12:44
[Comment From Guest] will that effect my people skills after a head injury? cuz i feel i dont know what to say in front of people 12:47
Brain injuries can impact language. Patients can have difficulty finding the right words to say, they may even have trouble speaking. A neuropsychologist may be able to assist you in diagnosing problems with language. 12:48
[Comment From Guest] We're told to watch someone after a head injury and make sure they don't sleep....how long should someone be kept awake? How do you know when it's time to seek medical help? I have a three year old and he may not be able to verbalize some common symptoms of concussion; thankfully he's not had a head injury, but he is becoming more and more adventurous at the playground.... 12:53
Children and adults are treated differently when it comes to concussion. If a head injury is suspected medical care is recommended for any age. Young children often present with symptoms different than an older child or an adult. If a patient becomes more sleepy and difficult to arouse emergency care is required. This could be indicative of a more serious head injury requiring immediate attention. 12:57
Evaluating someones level of consciousness, or ability to stay awake and alert, is often told to families with a loved one who has experienced a head injury. It is not uncommon for patients who have had a concussion to be sleepy, it would be uncommon if their sleepiness increased substantially or they were unable to be aroused. 12:59
Thank you to all who participated. Please go to www.ProHealthCare.org/Neuro if you want more information after we sign off.
Today we are talking about concussion. A concussion can be classified as mild to severe and affects the function of the brain. It often occurs after a blow or jolt to the head. It may or may not involve loss of consciousness. 12:07
[Comment From Guest ] i hit my head by rolling down the steps and my head was bleeding and i had to get stiches. what are my symptoms that i dont know about when i get older? 12:09
Thank you for the question. It is not uncommon to have signs and symptoms of a concussion, such as headache, fatigue, and sometimes even feeling a little "foggy" after having a head injury. Most people do not experience any problem with prolonged symptoms as they age. 12:10
Most patients do not have problems from a single concussion. Patients who have had numerous concussions tend to have more problems as they age. 12:11
[Comment From Julie] I had a blackout /concussion due to a MVA. Since that happened I became a much angrier, moodier and depressed. I alo had my bipolar dx 8 months after the concussion. Is this all related? How can it be reversed ,or can it? I feel lost! 12:17
Thank you for the question Julie. It sounds like you may have more than one medical condition going on. Motor vehicle accidents can be a major cause of concussion. It sounds like you may have had a period of loss of consciousness. This is most likely unrelated to your diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Recovery from a concussion includes physical and cognitive (thinking) rest of brain. What I mean is that we would ask you to avoid physical and mental stress until your brain has time to heal. Please contact your personal physician regarding your specific symptoms and recovery. 12:21
Motor vehicle accidents, falls, recreational injuries, as well as sports can be common causes of concussion. Parents, athletes, and coaches may be interested in joining ProHealth Care Neuroscience Center on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at Waukesha South High School Auditorium to hear Dr. Mike McCrea speak about assessing concussion in sports. 12:25
Dr. McCrea will speak on the new Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sports which includes how to return a player to the game and how to identify symptoms which would prevent an athlete from returning to play. Please register by calling Nurse-On-Line at 262-544-2745. 12:25
[Comment From MJ] My son plays high school football. My concern is that he will have a head injury. What are some of the symptoms I should look for? 12:28
This is a great question which many parents have, especially during this time of year. Symptoms of concussion can vary. Players can have physical signs, cognitive signs, or both. Common signs of concussion are headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, feeling as if they were in a fog, difficulty concentrating, and mood may be affected. 12:29
[Comment From L.H.] Are migraines associated in any way with head injuries? 12:36
Thank you for the question regarding migraine headaches and concussion. Headaches are very common symptom of concussion and can be associated with noise and light sensitivity. However, migraine headaches are not caused by a concussion, but patients with a history of migraines can experience more severe symptoms. 12:37
[Comment From Guest] When I was growing up we never wore helmets while riding our bikes. Come to find out head injuries are one of the main causes of death in young children. Do concussions occur by hitting any part of your head is it the front or back side that need to be protected the most? 12:43
Thank you for this great question. Due to laws like safety belts, car seats, and decreased speed limits we have been able to keep our children safer than when we were kids. There is not one area of the head that is more vulnerable than another. Injuries to any part of the head have the potential to cause concussion or more serious brain injury. Bike helmets have helped reduce head injuries in patients of all ages. 12:44
[Comment From Guest] will that effect my people skills after a head injury? cuz i feel i dont know what to say in front of people 12:47
Brain injuries can impact language. Patients can have difficulty finding the right words to say, they may even have trouble speaking. A neuropsychologist may be able to assist you in diagnosing problems with language. 12:48
[Comment From Guest] We're told to watch someone after a head injury and make sure they don't sleep....how long should someone be kept awake? How do you know when it's time to seek medical help? I have a three year old and he may not be able to verbalize some common symptoms of concussion; thankfully he's not had a head injury, but he is becoming more and more adventurous at the playground.... 12:53
Children and adults are treated differently when it comes to concussion. If a head injury is suspected medical care is recommended for any age. Young children often present with symptoms different than an older child or an adult. If a patient becomes more sleepy and difficult to arouse emergency care is required. This could be indicative of a more serious head injury requiring immediate attention. 12:57
Evaluating someones level of consciousness, or ability to stay awake and alert, is often told to families with a loved one who has experienced a head injury. It is not uncommon for patients who have had a concussion to be sleepy, it would be uncommon if their sleepiness increased substantially or they were unable to be aroused. 12:59
Thank you to all who participated. Please go to www.ProHealthCare.org/Neuro if you want more information after we sign off.
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