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June is National Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to discuss brain health and safety!
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to brain health is injuries. Because the brain is not physically seen, or a bone that can break, sometimes we forget just how fragile it is. But unfortunately, brain injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults, and someone dies every seven minutes in the U.S. because of one.
A hematoma, hemorrhage, and skull fracture are all different types of brain injuries, but the most common are concussions. Concussions occur when the brain moves rapidly inside the skull as a result of a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body.
Here are brain injury facts, according to the CDC and Brain Injury Research Institute:
- 1.5 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs every 15 seconds
- America had a 17% increase in fall-related TBI deaths from 2008 to 2017
- Each year in the U.S., 1.6-3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur
- 10% of all contact sport athletes get concussions yearly
- Concussions account for 65% to 95% of all football-related fatalities
- After getting your first concussion, you’re 4-6 times more likely to sustain a second
The symptoms of a concussion are usually noticeable not long after the injury occurs but can sometimes take days or weeks recognize. Evidence supports the claim that you can judge the severity of a concussion by the seriousness of its symptoms. If someone hits their head and starts experiencing the following signs, it’s crucial they stay awake and seek medical help as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory problems
- Confusion
A study found that 86% of athletes that suffer from a concussion will experience post-traumatic migraine or headache pain. Migraine, although less severe than injuries, is another common health issue.
Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine knows that they are not just your average headache. Migraine is a neurological disorder, which involves nerve pathways and brain chemicals. The most significant difference between headaches and migraines is the severity of symptoms. Headaches are usually more of an inconvenience, while migraines can be incapacitating.
Symptoms of Migraines include:
- A localized pain in the head
- Sensitivity to light
- Aura before onset
- Nausea
- Severe pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pounding or throbbing
You don’t have to live with debilitating head pain. We are here to help find a treatment that works for you!
At SE TX ER & Hospital, we’re equipped to care for any medical need—including brain trauma and migraines. Along with a diagnosis, we offer screenings, lab work, and examinations to find any underlying health issues that may be playing a part. For a full list of the services we provide, visit our website here.
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, SE Texas ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on SE Texas ER & Hospital, or any of our concierge-level medical facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
