Learn what happens if you have a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, and steps you can take to avoid them.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Your brain is integral to everything you do, from walking to talking to breathing. So protecting it is crucial.
Your skull and the fluid surrounding the brain, called cerebrospinal fluid , help shield it from physical injury. But these defenses aren’t perfect. With enough force, the brain can be injured.
A hard blow or jolt to the head… or an object going into the skull … can cause what’s known as a traumatic brain injury or TBI.
The most common type is a concussion.
When a concussion or other TBI happens, the brain wobbles back and forth, and strikes the skull.
This can lead to bruising in the brain … and damage to nerve cells and blood vessels there.
Repeated head injuries can cause memory loss, depression, seizures, and an increased risk for dementia.
Even a mild injury can damage the brain. After many small hits, that damage can be permanent.
Kids are especially prone to the effects of head injuries because their brains are still developing.
You can have a concussion without ever losing consciousness.
So how do you know you have a brain injury? Look for symptoms like headaches, trouble remembering or concentrating, confusion, tiredness, mood and sleep changes, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and blurred vision. Call a doctor or go to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
If you have a concussion, your health care provider may recommend rest for a few days.
Once you feel better, you can return to light, non-strenuous activities and then gradually do more until you’re able to return to all your regular activities.
To protect yourself and your family from head injuries, always wear a properly fitting helmet when doing activities like riding a bike, skating, or skateboarding.
Helmets are also a must for impact sports like football, ice hockey, and baseball.
But you can get a concussion even with a helmet, so it’s still important to avoid hits to the head.
Every time you ride in the car, fasten your seatbelt – whether you’re in the front seat or back.
For children, use a car seat, keeping them rear facing until they turn two.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has free resources to help make sure your car seat is age appropriate and properly installed.
At home, reduce your fall risk by cleaning up clutter and securing loose rugs.
Place non-slip mats on shower and tub floors. If you have trouble balancing, install grab bars next to the shower, tub, and toilet.
Make sure handrails are sturdy. And check that all stairs and hallways are well lit.
Finally, have your eyes checked at least once a year, and wear glasses or contacts if you need them.
Follow these measures, and you can keep your brain healthy for a lifetime.
Now that’s using your head!