Brain Injury Info Blog

Prevent car accident injury with Seat-belt Safety

Prevent car accidents with Seat-belt Safety

1. Infants - from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds

Keep infants in the back seat if a rear-facing child safety seat until they exceed the weight limit for that particular seat (minimum of age 1 or 20 pounds)

2. Toddlers - Age 1 & 20 lbs to Age 4 & 40 lbs

When children outgrow their rear-facing seats they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).

3. Children - from about age 4 to at least age 8

Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall).

4. Age 8 and older

When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest).

Article adopted from www.NHTS.gov

Four simple ways to prevent and reduce the chances of a Brain Injury in children:

Four simple ways to prevent and reduce the chances of a TBI in children:

1. Buckling your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child's height, weight, and age).

2. Making sure children wear helmets when:

        - Riding a bike, playing a contact sport, such as football or ice hockey

        - Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard

3. Making living areas safer for children, by:

        - Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows; and

        - Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around.

4. Making sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand.

Read full article here 

Fall Football Season is Here!

Approximately 3 million kids ages 6-14 play tackle football in the United States every year and as football season kicks into gear so do injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 135,000 emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries every year among people ages 5 to 18, the majority coming from recreational sports. In May 2009, Washington State signed a law called the "Zackery Lystedt Law" which keeps a player who shows signs of a concussion, or has sustained a concussion, from returning to play or practice until they have received appropriate evaluation by a licensed heath care professional (LHCP) trained in the evaluation and management of concussion. Thus far, there are 7 states that have passed the law and hopefully soon, others will catch on.

We encourage you to consider the following football season safety tips in an effort to keep your child safe:

1. Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation

2. Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouth-guard

3. Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps

4. Ensure that your child knows proper tackling techniques

5. Be aware of coaches that “play through the pain”

6. Kids should be competing against others their own size

7. Educate athletes and other parents or coaches about concussion.

8. If your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head, keep him out of play until they are properly evaluated

Click here to read full article 

Brain trauma causes motor-neuron dysfunction similar to Lou Gehrig's disease

Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S.), is a fatal motor-neuron disease that results in progressive muscle atrophy caused by degeneration of motor neurons.  Recent studies by Boston University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, Mass., indicate that athletes and veterans could be misdiagnosed as having A.L.S.  The researchers found that concussion trauma also leads to motor-neuron disease similar to A.L.S.  As such, Lou Gehrig, who suffered repeated concussions during his lifetime, may not have had A.L.S., but rather, may have suffered from motor-neuron degeneration as a result of brain trauma.  However, the cremation of Lou Gehrig’s remains prevents the doctors from determining the type of motor-neuron disorder he actually had.

To read more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/sports/18gehrig.html?emc=na.  www.nytimes.com

Bret Michaels and Gary Coleman

Brain Injury awareness resonated in Hollywood this summer with the unfortunate events of both Gary Coleman and Bret Michaels.  Michaels and Coleman both suffered a brain injury. However Bret Michaels survived and Gary Coleman did not. How can a cerebral hemorrhage have such different consequences?  It all depends on the type of hemorrhage, size, and area of the brain affected and the overall wellness of the victim.

full article: http://bit.ly/cvyIoA    www.nydailynews.com

Brain Injury Patients get Rehab using Wii Fit

Some Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors are getting rehabilitation in an unconventional way:  Wii Fit.  TBI patients can now use the Wii Fit balance board and special glasses in conjunction with a new software program to help them with their balance, vision and hand-eye coordination problems.  However, this therapy regimen must be completed every single day, both at the rehab facility and at home, in order for it to work.  Patients can start seeing results in approximately 20 sessions. 

http://bit.ly/bzBrK0   www.wcbstv.com

Professional athletic teams endorse Concussion legislation

Coming up for vote in the Pennsylvania legislature next month is House Bill 2060, which is aimed at preventing young athletes from returning to play after suffering a concussion.  Similar bills are being passed across the United States as concussion awareness in youth and professional sports increases.  The surge in concussion awareness around the country is due, in part, to endorsements from professional teams and athletic associations.  The Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, Steelers and the Pirates have all endorsed H.B. 2060.

Full article:  http://bit.ly/benjaf www.philly.com

Gary Coleman's tragic death at age 42

Gary Coleman was taken off of life support this afternoon after suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage earlier in the week.  He lost consciousness on Thursday after being hospitalized at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center on Wednesday.  Coleman was best known for his part as Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes.

Full story:  http://bit.ly/dvvW7i   www.latimes.com

 

Update: Snowboarder Kevin Pearce returns home

After 4 months of rehabilitation from a traumatic brain injury suffered while training for the U.S. Olympics, Kevin Pearce finally returns home to Vermont.  However, the recovery process has not ended for this young snowboarder.  He still has to undergo outpatient therapy, which will help him meet certain physical and cognitive goals.

Full story:  http://bit.ly/cnimD0     www.latimes.com

Woman diagnosed with brain injury after 2 1/2 years of suffering

Zonie Compton finally has a reason to smile after 2 ½ years of suffering from an undiagnosed brain injury caused by hitting her head on a vibrating bar while watching a horse race in July 2007 in her hometown of Marion, Ohio.

Compton never lost consciousness, but she suffered from all the classic signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) – double vision, severe headaches, short-term memory loss, and balance problems, all of which lead to depression.   Finally, in December 2009, Compton was diagnosed with diffuse axonal brain injury. 

All too often, TBI patients are diagnosed and treated as mental health patients.  This is especially true when there is no loss of consciousness.  Although diffuse axonal injury occurs any time there is loss of consciousness associated with a trauma event, loss of consciousness does not need to occur for there to be a diffuse axonal injury.

To read more about Compton’s story, please visit http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100517/NEWS01/5170301/-1/newsfront2/Woman-with-head-injury-working-with-Habitat-for-Humanity-for-house