Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury

A concussion, in its simplest terms, is a bruise of the brain. Globally, there are at least 10 million new head injuries occurring annually. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States with an estimated average of 1.4 million cases per year, of which 50,000 will not survive.

Of those with a severe traumatic brain injury, 235,000 will be hospitalized, and the remaining 1.1 million will be treated and discharged from emergency departments. There are varying degrees of injury to the brain from mild to moderate to severe. Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is a significant health concern affecting millions of individuals annually. It is characterized by a temporary loss of normal brain function due to mechanical force or trauma, resulting in symptoms such as confusion, headache, dizziness, and memory loss.

Usually, the symptoms will generally dissipate and resolve over the first two weeks after the initial insult. Should these symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks, special care and a treatment plan for glial cell and neuronal cell regeneration should be instituted.

There are no accurate statistics on mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) because most people with this concussion injury don't go to a hospital, and 25% of those who do are never reevaluated beyond the time of the injury. According to the CDC, more than 5 million Americans, or about 2% of the population, are living with long-term disabilities resulting from TBI.

Brain injury more often comes from motor vehicle accidents, home accidents, sports injuries, and assault.

To minimize long-term complications, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) emphasizes the importance of immediate medical evaluation after a concussion, even if symptoms appear mild. This approach ensures that all patients receive a consistent level of care and that potential complications are promptly addressed.

Early awareness and action ensure that patients receive evidence-based care grounded in the latest scientific research. It is also important to recognize, however, that there are not a lot of placebo-controlled trials regarding brain injury. Those that are out there, however, do support intervention with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

If you need any further assistance or have any questions, feel free to ask!