The Effect of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries on Physical and Cognitive Function
Jessica Halme
Clark College
Author Note
This paper was written for Psychology 100, taught by Professor Fielding
Abstract
Concussions, classified as a mild traumatic brain injury, are a growing problem in the United States. Research is being done to determine immediate, short-term, and long-term effects as well as the most effective way to treat concussions and the best way to prevent them. The general population is learning more about concussions as more information becomes available. This is especially important because the spread of knowledge of concussions is crucial in preventing and treating concussions. It is important that people
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This does not mean that they are any less significant or dangerous. Concussions typically do not involve any apparent damage to the face, head, or skull. Often the damage to the brain is so small that it cannot be seen on an MRI or CAT scan. This can cause a concussion to go unnoticed, which is extremely dangerous because an undiagnosed concussion can lead to mental retardation or even death. It is crucial that we understand and recognize the symptoms and effects of mild traumatic brain injuries, in order to treat and prevent them from occurring.
What is a Concussion? A concussion is “a clinical syndrome characterized by immediate and transient alteration of brain function, including alteration of mental status and level of consciousness, resulting from mechanical force or trauma” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons). Concussions are commonly seen in sports injuries in children and adolescents, but can also occur from falls, motor vehicle accidents, physical assault, and recreational injuries. In a concussion, a blow to the head or violent shaking causes the brain to twist or bump up against the skull. The force of the brain hitting the skull may tear blood vessels, pull, squeeze, stretch, or tear nerve fibers and neural cells, and bruise the brain (Brain Injury Association). This causes disruptions in brain processing and in turn all the symptoms associated with
Concussion is a brain injury caused by movement of brain within the skull due to external forces that may cause sudden acceleration or decoration of a person such as collisions. It is a traumatically induced transient disturbance to the functioning of the brain caused by complex pathophysiological process (Harmon et al.). A bump, blow, or jolt to the head may cause concussion. Concussions also emanates from a blow to the body that causes the head and hence the brain to move quickly back and forth, causing the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull. Many people/studies refer to concussions as mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) (Harmon et al.).
Contrary to popular belief, a concussion is not a bruise to the brain caused by hitting a hard surface. Indeed, no physical swelling or bleeding is usually seen on radiological scans. The injury generally occurs when the head either accelerates rapidly and then is stopped, or is spun rapidly.
In the U.S. alone, athletes suffer from roughly 300,000 concussions per year; 3,800,000 concussions were reported in 2012, which is double of what was reported in 2002. A concussion may be defined as a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging the brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain. Concussions are not usually considered life-threatening, but they may result in effects to the brain that may lead to devastating outcomes. Concussions are serious injuries that need to be taken seriously because of their severity and the serious health disorders that may arise.
Concussions are common due to the fact that there is not much protection between the skull and the brain. The medical definition of a concussion is, “ A traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth,” ( What is a Concussion). Concussions can cause temporary loss of consciousness due to the bruising of the brain and the force of the impact. During the impact, “The brain [may] bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes, sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). That is why concussions can have such a lasting impact. Depending on the extent, most concussions only last for a few days to a week, but some can last for months due to the damage. Concussions are put into categories based on how long they are believed to last so doctors know how long to keep athletes out from strenuous activity. “Concussions are graded as mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), or severe (grade 3), depending on such factors as loss of consciousness, amnesia, and loss of equilibrium” (Lava ). With each grade, there are different symptoms and differences in how long they last.
The leading cause of concussions is impact to the head. Everytime you go head to head with someone it shakes your head and brain. Everytime this happen it leaves a bruise or grey matter on the otter of the brain. Scientist say that real damage from concussions occur deep in the brain, in what they call the white matter. This results in stretching and twisting of the brain. Scientists also commonly believe that this kind of brain disease is caused not only by these severe concussive hits, but also by the accumulation of more minor blows.
Concussions are a very frightening and dangerous injury. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury in which your brain rattles around in your skull. When you sustain a concussion, your brain may jolt as a result from the impact. This form of brain injury can cause bruising, damage to the blood vessels, and injury to the nerves. Concussions are the most common brain injury. Although concussions are the least serious, they should not be taken lightly. Back in the day, people were unaware of concussions and the symptoms associated with them. As a result, people today especially former athletes are dying from past concussions. (Cantu, R. & Hyman M., 2012) Many people have seen, heard of, or had a concussion and they are relevant to everyone’s life.
The hit is quick and powerful. Sight is blurry; memory is hazy. The hand in front of your face has six fingers instead of five. JFK is president and the Grand Canyon is in Alaska. Concussions are the most frequent of traumatic brain injuries and they are receiving similar treatment as a rolled ankle. Sports of all kinds, ages, and gender need to increase the precautions set forth to preventing this life threatening injury.
Concussion awareness has been on the rise in recent years since studies have began producing results showing the potential damage that occurs once a concussion has occurred. By definition, a concussion is an injury to the brain that can result in temporary disruption of normal brain activity. Brain functions that can be affected include judgement, memory, speech, balance, reflexes, and coordination. Currently, athletes who participate in contact sports are most likely to receive a concussion according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). A concussion is an injury that occurs to the brain as a result of the brain contacting the interior of the skull. It is usually caused by a blow to the head or other severe trauma. Concussions are also known as mild traumatic brain injuries or mTBI.
Concussions are one of the most serious, yet overlooked injuries in the world. The term concussion is defined as a temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head. The term is also used loosely of the aftereffects such as confusion or temporary incapacity. Although concussions usually are caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. Injuries like these can cause a loss of consciousness, however most concussions do not. This makes concussions
Many private companies and researchers have taken the issue of concussions head on. Research has drastically increased throughout the 21st century. In the words of Mark Lovell PhD. founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, “90% of what we know about concussions we’ve learned in the past five years.” These private researchers have taken different approaches to solving the issue but they are all working to achieve one goal: the reduction of concussions and the prevention of their long-term effects.
We have been learning about the concussion. Or MTBI (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) it is critical to find a way to protect our students and kids everywhere from MTBI. A Pediatrics Study in the Newsela article, said they studied 349 students and 240 of them after the fact continued to have physical and cognitive symptoms of brain injury.
Concussions are brain injuries that happen when there is a significant hit to the head. While not all concussions result in a loss consciousness, they do often include nausea, difficulty concentrating, loss of balance, dizziness, amnesia, disorientation, headaches and other symptoms. Athletes who participate in contact sports like football, wrestling, hockey, boxing, and soccer most commonly get concussions. Gymnasts and skiers are also at risk.
As previously stated, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way the brain functions.
A concussion is a brain injury from a direct blow to the head or body. This blow causes the brain to shake quickly back and forth inside the skull. This can damage brain cells and cause chemical changes in the brain.
The human brain is made up of soft tissue, cushioned by spinal fluid and encased in the protective shell of the skull. Keeping the brain structure in mind, a concussion is commonly caused by a sudden direct blow or a bump to the head. This causes the brain to jolt inside the skull, further leading to the state of confusion most people wake to. Some may even lose consciousness, or even sustain permanent brain or nerve damage. Since concussions are internal, the behavior of the person must be challenged and questioned in order to determine whether or not they sustained a concussion.