Think ahead

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The brain is the most important organ in the human body. If it is injured, death or long-term problems may ensue.

March is Brain Injury Awareness month, and this year's motto is "Think ahead: be safe, know the signs, get help." Brain injuries are classified as either acquired or traumatic.

ABI is a brain injury caused by tumors, toxins, diseases or lack of oxygen, while TBI is a disruption of brain function resulting from a blow or jolt to the head by external force.

At least 2.5 million children and adults suffer TBIs each year in the U.S., according to the Brain Injury Association of America.

"Alaska - both in the civilian and military population - has one of the highest rates of TBI in the country," said Patricia Raymond, Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center regional education coordinator. "More than 80 percent of TBI in the Department of Defense are concussions - mild TBI."

Most injuries here result from bad falls on ice or airborne operations, but other recreational activities like snowmachining, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and motorcycling are also common causes, Raymond said.

"A lot of people think military [members] get their TBI while they are deployed, [but] actually only 20 percent are diagnosed in theater," Raymond said. "In deployed settings, the two most common causes for TBI are vehicle crashes and exposure to blasts."

TBIs are classified as either penetrative or closed-head, and mild, moderate and severe.

"[Penetrative] is exactly what it sounds like, when something goes through the hard tissue of the skull and into the soft tissue of the brain," Raymond said.

She said a loose rule for distinction between mild, moderate and severe is how long the person was unconscious. Mild TBIs result in either not losing consciousness or blacking out for up to 30 minutes. Moderate can be measured by being unconscious for 30 minutes to 24 hours, and severe is for more than 24 hours.

Symptoms of TBI are split into three sections; physical, cognitive and emotional.

The physical symptoms are headache, sleep disturbances, dizziness, balance problems, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, visual disturbances, light sensitivity and a ringing in the ears. The cognitive symptoms are slowed thinking, poor concentration, memory problems, and a difficulty finding words. The emotional symptoms are anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings.

Headaches are the most common symptom for TBI patients, Raymond said.

"Almost everybody who walks through the door deals with some kind of headache," Raymond said. "Some people have migraines or an occasional tension headache. In my four years here, I've met with one patient who did not have headache as a symptom."

After a traumatic injury - when a person is affected by many of these symptoms - it might be difficult to discern the next step.

"If you have hit your head ... just get checked out by medical as soon as possible," Raymond said. "Spouses are usually the first to know if something is wrong."

If someone is experiencing more than one of these symptoms after a fall or jolt to the head, despite their protests, it's better to take them to a hospital in case it was a concussion or worse.

Patients should go to their personal care manager, unit medic, the mental health clinic or emergency room, to be referred to the TBI clinic if treatment is necessary.

The TBI clinic offers several types of therapy and rehabilitation, as well as a recovery support program, nurse case management, pain management, and many education resources.

"Patients need to work with their provider and follow their medical instructions because it will lead to the fastest and fullest healing possible," Raymond said. "They will also be back to full duty sooner with full capacity."

Some individual coping tips for brain injury recovery from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center are writing things down, storing important things in one designated place to reduce losing them, pacing oneself with needed breaks, focusing on one thing at a time, and being patient with one's surroundings, the healing process and oneself.

Most people heal from a concussion within a few days to a week, but a small percentage could take months, Raymond said. This could be due to increased severity or prior injury.

Participating in vigorous activities while impaired increases the risk of another injury.

"If someone has already had one or more concussions they are more likely to get another one," Raymond said. "Prevention becomes even more important."

Some preventive tips are to wear a seatbelt at all times in a moving vehicle, have children in age-appropriate safety seats, do not mix alcohol, drugs or driving in any order, and wear the appropriate protective gear for the occasion.

Because children are constantly growing, it is important to buy them gear that fits at the time.

"Make sure that your children have all of the necessary gear and if they have outgrown [it], it's time to buy them gear that fits well because it will do the best job protecting them," Raymond said.

Adults also need the same amount of protection, so always make sure personal protective equipment is up to date.

"If they make a helmet for it, wear it," Raymond said.

No matter the activity, be safe; in case of injury, know the signs; and do not hesitate to get help. Always think ahead.