A concussion is caused by trauma to the brain that is usually the result of hitting the head on or with an object. Colorado skiers and football players who are at risk of suffering a concussion might wish to know that the Journal of Neurology recently published an article containing new findings about concussion trauma, healing and the risk of further brain damage.
This study comes at a time when there have been increasing media reports about young athletes dying from sport-related head injuries. According to the Journal of Neurology, a brain that has suffered from a concussion but is not showing symptoms may be at risk for even more serious damage if the brain suffers a second trauma. The National Football League and other professional sports associations have already modified their regulations regarding medical treatment for athletes with head injuries.
A study was conducted on 50 mild concussion patients and 50 healthy individuals, and the results concluded that two weeks after a trauma, concussion patients experienced cognitive issues, dizziness, headaches and depression at a higher rate than healthy individuals. Although concussion patients often reported feeling better four months after the trauma, brain scans revealed 10 percent more abnormalities in their brain’s gray matter than in their healthy counterparts. These measures were obtained using 3D scans that are more accurate at detecting brain abnormalities, which researchers suggest may be caused by the shifting of fluids around brain cells.
One scientist claimed that patients’ persistent symptoms after healing could be mistaken as psychological. Those who believe that they have experienced a lack of proper and thorough treatment after suffering from brain injuries might have the option of filing a personal injury claim in order to recover expenses that could have been avoided.
Source: Bloomberg, “Brain Still Harmed by Concussion After Symptoms Decline”, Elizabeth Lopatto, November 20, 2013