“If you want a better body, the first place to ALWAYS start is by having a better brain, says Daniel G. Amen, MD, a double board-certified psychiatrist, founder of Amen Clinics, and a prominent author known for his work in brain health and mental illness, utilizing SPECT (Single photon emission computed tomography) imaging to diagnose and treat various psychiatric conditions. He is one of the leading researchers on how our brains affect our lives. He is known for saying in his books, publications, podcasts, and on all media that, “your brain is involved in everything you do, including how you think, how you feel, how you act and how you get along with other people. Your brain is the organ of judgment, personality, character, and all your decisions…When your brain works right, you work right…When your brain is troubled, you are much more likely to have trouble in your life.”
We can take what Dr. Amen says to heart, as we are amid Brain Injury Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to educating the public about brain injuries, the causes and effects, and the importance of prevention and rehabilitation. While many people seem to be uninterested in learning about brain injuries, statistics show that brain injuries are on the rise, According to the Brain Injury Association of America, (biausa.org), “There are more than 5.3 million individuals in the United States who are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability. That’s one in every sixty people. At least 2.8 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries in the United States every year.” This equates to more than one brain injury every 9 seconds. The Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont, (biavt.org), has more data about our state, in 2018, 9,000 Vermonters were living with a TBI, in 2014 there were 4530 Emergency Room/Hospitalizations related to brain injuries, falls were the leading cause of death and disability and TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries) were seen at a higher rate in Vermont males than females. These numbers should cause concern for us all to want to be more aware, educated, and prepared.
You may wonder, what is a brain injury? A brain injury is clinically referred to as any damage to the brain that disrupts its normal functioning. These injuries are described by the National Institute of Health (www.ninds.nih.gov), as being classified into two main categories: traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and acquired brain injuries (ABI). A TBI occurs when an external force causes damage to the brain, such as a hit or jolt to the head. These are often seen in falls, vehicle accidents, sports-related incidents, and violence. Whereas an ABI, is an injury that occurs after birth due to internal factors such as strokes, infections, or lack of oxygen. The severity of brain injuries varies and can range from a mild concussion to a severe impairment that affects cognitive functions and physical abilities for a lifetime.
Taking any injury to the head seriously is critical as we learn increasingly about brain health. It is always important to seek medical attention if you or someone else experiences a head injury, especially if accompanied by any of the following symptoms: loss of consciousness, persistent headache or worsening headache, confusion or disorientation, nausea, or vomiting, seizures, difficulty walking or balancing, and or slurred speech. Even if your symptoms seem mild, it’s important not to ignore the importance of brain health and the attention all brain injuries deserve.
By raising awareness about brain injuries, we can start to change the trends of brain injuries, but it comes through the work of communities. To make the change and raise awareness we need education and available information, we need platforms to share the information, collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, and community members to dive into the advocacy through shared conversations, workplace education, hosting events, and personal commitment to brain health.
We can all raise our own awareness by using this easy tool: If you have had an injury: think BRAIN!
B – Balance Issues: How is your balance and coordination?
R – Repeated Vomiting: Frequent vomiting following a head injury is a sign to get help ASAP.
A – Altered Consciousness: Changes in alertness ranging from confusion to loss of consciousness should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
I – Irritability/Personality Changes: Sudden mood swings or personality changes may reflect underlying neurological damage affecting emotional regulation.
N – Numbness/Tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling in extremities could indicate nerve damage resulting from trauma. This may be due to a variety of medical conditions and deserves care.
By understanding these signs, taking personal responsibility, promoting awareness within our communities, and protecting our brains by wearing helmets, and seatbelts, following speed limits, and maintaining a healthy heart, we can start to lower the numbers in our area. During Brain Injury Awareness Month, we can remember these words from Dr. Amen; “make a commitment to brain health and you will make better decisions for the rest of your life!”