Brain Injury Awareness Month draws attention to concussions

The month of March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which gives people an opportunity to take a closer look at common brain injuries and how they can be prevented. Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are some of the most typical brain injuries suffered that are caused by a sudden jolt or impact to the head.

Most concussions occur in young people between the ages of 5 to 14, but people of all ages are at risk. Bicycle accidents and competitive team sports, including football, lead to a higher risk of concussions amongst young people. Older adults are more likely to suffer a concussion in a fall or a motor vehicle accident.

The symptoms of a concussion include dizziness, changes in sleep patterns, mood swings, lack of energy, headaches and nausea. Those who have been involved in any sort of accident involving severe movements of the head or being hit hard in the head should seek medical care as soon as possible. This is especially true when sufferers exhibit symptoms. Pittsburgh doctors will most likely be able to diagnose a concussion in the office and rule out a more serious head injury. They may also request a CT scan or MRI to make sure everything is okay.

You may think that a concussion is not a serious injury. Nonetheless, even a mild TBI can affect the brain’s normal functioning and therefore have a major impact on a person’s everyday life. Those who suffer even just one concussion are more likely to suffer multiple concussions in the future and suffer long-term memory loss and cognitive issues. With so much at stake, it is important to take brain injuries seriously.

Source: Armonk Daily Voice, “March is Brain Injury Awareness Month: Get Facts About Concussions, Dr. Omar N. Syed, March 10, 2016