Who doesn’t remember NHL star Sidney Crosby’s head concussion that kept him out of hockey for months? But how many know about the hazards of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)? A report from Johns Hopkins University says it doesn’t always take a hockey blow to trigger a brain concussion.
The skull normally provides protection against brain injury. But there’s a limit to this protection, and at times just a bump or a jolt to the head can cause severe damage to brain nerve cells, called neurons.
TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the degree of injury. It’s estimated that 1.7 million occur each year in the United States, and 75 percent are mild concussions.
But there’s a disturbing trend. The number of cases of TBIs in older people is increasing each year. For instance, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a recent four-year period, there was a 46 percent increase in emergency hospital visits for TBIs. And there was a 34 percent increase in hospitalizations among those 65 and older.
The report warns people not to be misled by the term “mild TBI.” Specialists in this disorder say that although most people recover in a few days, 15 percent suffer from persistent and disabling problems that can affect relationships and employment.
One reason is that older people often suffer from chronic problems such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and general fragility. These make recovery more difficult.
Preventing Falls
The most common cause of TBI in those 65 and older is falling and striking the head. In the past 10 years, fall-related deaths increased by a whopping 56 percent, according to the CDC. The majority of those requiring hospitalization were 75 and older, and they accounted for the most deaths.
People with elderly parents should realize that many of these falls are preventable. So make sure you remove needless clutter from their homes, tape down or get rid of loose rugs, add non-skid mats for the bathtub, install grab bars, and above all, use night lights, as many falls occur while getting to the bathroom.
Check with their doctor to see if medication could be a factor in falling. Remember that poor vision is a particular hazard and that regular exercise helps to maintain coordination.
Treating Head Injuries
But what are the precautions once a fall happens? If the person has lost consciousness or blacked out for even a few seconds, make sure the person gets medical attention. And whatever the outcome of medical care, never leave that person alone for the next 24 hours. You can never be sure that a dramatic change won’t occur.
Today many seniors are also taking blood thinners, which increase the risk of brain hemorrhage. Studies show that anyone taking this medication is three times more likely to suffer a brain hemorrhage than those not on these drugs, even after a minor head injury.
So what should you be looking for if an elder calls to report a blow to the head? Make sure the person sees a doctor if any of the following problems are present: confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, headache, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, or memory loss.
For more severe injuries, such as loss of consciousness, vomiting, worsening headache, abnormal breathing, seizures or convulsions, weakness of the arms or legs, amnesia, slurred speech, or bleeding from the mouth, nose or ears, call an ambulance.
Be aware that even a minor injury may have a delayed response. For instance, some surveys reveal that as many as 80 percent may not be aware they have had a concussion.
So how should TBI be treated? Most with mild concussion recover fully within six months. But 40 percent develop post-concussion syndrome with symptoms appearing about 10 days following the injury. These people suffer from fatigue, headaches, and memory loss, which normally last a week.
Tylenol can be used to control pain. But do not use aspirin or an anti-inflammatory drug such as Motrin or Advil. These can cause internal bleeding.
And Sidney Crosby would tell you it requires lots of rest to heal a damaged brain, even a mild TBI.
Dr. Gifford-Jones is a medical journalist with a private medical practice in Toronto. His website is DocGiff.com. He may be contacted at [email protected].
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