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Shaw Chiropractic Traumatic Brain Injuries: Part II We had tremendous feedback from the TBI newsletter last month. Attorneys from across the state called requesting additional information. Given the demand for more information I have decided to provide a summary of brain injury facts for your reference library. When you have a suspected TBI client coming to your office for consultation a pre-interview review of these points may help lead you through a more focused intake. - Brain Injury: AKA minor head injury, closed head injury, concussion, post-concussive syndrome, etc - Brain matter is like a multi- layer Jello mold. At impact, each layer is deformed differently resulting in shearing between layers. This results in axonal disconnections. - Post concussion syndrome or post-concussional state is a group of symptoms which may persist for months or years following brain injury. These occur in 30-40% of brain injury patients and appear in patients of all magnitudes of injury. - Loss of conciousness need not occur to sustain brain injury. - Head impact need not occur to result in brain injury. - Many brain injuries result from rapid accelerations such as those seen in "contra-coup" mechanisms. - Irritability, restlessness, lack of ability to concentrate, change in personality and depression are common symptoms. - Victims have reduced tolerance to noises and have little control over their emotions and temper. Victims generally do not like to go out in crowds. - Memory changes and memory deficits are common. - Speech difficulties resulting from the inability to complete thoughts and form sentence structure may occur. - Tinnitus, a ringing in the ear, may result - The incidence of malingering in the these patients is much smaller than early research suggested. (Miller) - The most common post traumatic symptoms in order of occurrence are: headaches, dizziness, memory problems, weakness, nausea, numbness, diplopia, tinnitus, hearing problems. - Other symptoms may include: lightheadedness, vertigo, hyperacusis, reduced attention span, easily distracted, forgetfulness, deterioration of logical thinking, inability to grasp new concepts, insomnia, apathy, easy fatiguability, anger outbursts, reduced motivation, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression or frustration, loss of libido, change in personality. - EEG is generally not sensitive to TBI - CT and MRI are limited in the ability to identify mild TBI in the absence of intracranial bleeds. - PET and SPECT have greater sensitivity. - Brain Mapping, while controversial, may provide objective evidence of underlying functional pathology. - Neuropsychologists are uniquely trained to identify these lesions and offer treatment when appropriate. - Chiropractors are sensitive to these lesions and will help you identify and work-up these patients (excuse the self promotion).
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