Concussion and Other Traumatic Brain Injuries

By Adam Schwebach, Ph.D.

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Items to Discuss
Denition of a Traumatic Brain Injury Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injuries Denition of a Concussion Symptoms of a Concussion Incidence of Concussion Concussion Management Treatment/Prevention of Concussion

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain Not all blows to the head will result in a TBI The severity of a TBI may range from mild, i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to severe, i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. Most common type of TBI is Concussion

Types of Severe TBI

Closed an injury to the brain caused by movement of the brain within the skull. Causes may include falls, motor vehicle crash, or being struck by or with an object Penetrating an injury to the brain caused by a foreign object entering the skull. Causes may include rearm injuries or being struck with a sharp object.

Severe TBI

A severe TBI not only impacts the life of an individual and their family, but it also has a large societal and economic toll. The estimated economic cost of TBI in 2010, including direct and indirect medical costs, is estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion. Additionally, the cost of fatal TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization, many of which are severe, account for approximately 90% of the total TBI medical costs.

How to Rate the Severity of a TBI

Glasgow Coma Score Scores of 3-8 are SEVERE Scores of 9-12 are MODERATE Scores of 13-15 are MILD
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Affects of Severe TBI

A non-fatal severe TBI may result in an extended period of unconsciousness (coma) For individuals hospitalized after a TBI, almost half (43%) have a related disability one year after the injury. A TBI may lead to a wide range of short- or long-term issues affecting:

Cognitive Function (e.g., attention and memory) Motor function (e.g., extremity weakness, impaired coordination and balance) Sensation (e.g., hearing, vision, impaired perception and touch) Emotion (e.g., depression, anxiety, aggression, impulse control, personality changes)

Traumatic Brain Injury CDC Statistics

Nationally, 1.7 Million people sustain a TBI
Annually

TBI is a contributing factor to a third

other forms of mild TBIs

(30.5%) of all injury related deaths in the United States

75% of TBIs each year are concussions or

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Causes of TBI
Falls (35.2%) Motor Vehicle -Trafc (17.3%) Struck by/against events (16.5%) Assaults (10%)
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Whose at Risk for a TBI

Children age 0-4 Adolescents age 15-19 Adults 65+ Adults 75+ have the highest rate of TBI
hospitalizations and deaths have a TBI

Across all ages MALES are more likely to

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Concussion

A concussion is a type of TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. A concussion as a mild brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. The effects can be serious

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Concussion

Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. For some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may nd that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.

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Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Cognitive Changes Difculty thinking clearly Difculty concentrating Difculty remembering new information Not able to do things quickly
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Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Physical Headache Blurred Vision Dizziness Sensitivity to light or sound Feeling fatigued
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Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Emotional Irritability Sadness Anxiety Being more emotional Change in sleep pattern
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Statistics on Concussion
Among adolescents between 15-24, sports
were the result of a concussion are the second leading cause of concussion behind Motor Vehicle Accidents

Approximately 15% of sport related injuries Between 2001 - 2009, Emergency

Department visits for TBI increased 57%

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Concussion and High School Sports

Who has the highest incidence

Football Girls Soccer Boys Lacrosse Girls Lacrosse Boys Soccer Boys Wrestling Girls Basketball followed by Softball, Boys Basketball, Girls Field Hockey, Cheerleading, Girls Volleyball, Boys Baseball

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Concussion and High School Sports

Football Players have the highest risk At least one player sustains a concussion
in nearly every American Football Game

Anecdotal evidence from Athletic Trainers

suggests 5% of players suffer a concussion. However, formal studies surveying players suggest approximately 50% report experiencing a concussion during a season

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Concussion and High School Sports

Concussion rates are higher in females than
males

This may be the result of weaker neck

muscles, smaller head mass or possibly that males are under-reporting

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Multiple Concussions
Approximately 16.8% of high school athletes
who suffered a concussion had previously suffered a concussion. concussions are repeat concussion

Its estimated that approximately 20% of Once an athlete has suffered a concussion,
they are 3-6 times more likely of having another concussion

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Multiple Concussion
High School Athletes who suffer 3 or more
concussions are at an increased risk of experiencing loss of consciousness, and other cognitive problems such as memory difculties.

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Recovery Rate from Concussion

27% symptoms resolve within 24 hours 36% between 1-3 days 20% 4-6 days 15% had symptoms lasting more than a week less than 2% have symptoms persisting past a
month

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Long Term Effects of Concussion

Individuals with a single concussion are less
likely to experience long term effects of a concussion

Youth who have experienced multiple

concussions are at the highest risk for possible long term effects such as memory problems

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Concussion Management
Recovery depends on the severity of the
concussion also contributes to recovery concussion and whether someone has had a previous concussion

Ones health, age and how they manage the

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Concussion Management
REST! REST! REST! This means REST!!!! Dont jump back into things to quickly Listen to your body
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Concussion Management
Avoid further injury Take time off from school Use medication as RX by your Doctor Slowly return back to activity Avoid long term problems Manage Headaches, anxiety and depression Your Brain will heal

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Prevention
Motor Vehicle Safety Prevent Falls Be protective in Sport Related Activities Education/Awareness
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Resources

www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury Utah Brain Injury Association

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Questions Adam Schwebach, Ph.D. Neuropsychology Center of Utah 1477 North 2000 West Suite E Clinton, Utah 84015 801-614-5866 adam@npcu.net

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