March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! There’s a new brain injury case every nine seconds in the US, with more than 5.3 million people living with a permanent disability from brain injury. But despite these staggering numbers, people don’t talk about the issue enough. Brain injuries can have life-altering effects, everyone should know how to prevent this neurological disease.
To protect yourself and the people around you from brain injuries, it’s helpful to know how they occur and how to stop them from happening. Here’s a rundown of essential brain injury facts to keep in mind.
Concussions Are More Common Than You Think, but the Symptoms Aren’t Always Obvious.
Most people don’t think they’ll ever suffer from a concussion, but concussions are more common than you think. Concussions can occur when you experience sudden jolts or bumps that cause the brain to bounce inside the skull. They can also be the result of a blow to the head.
Various situations can put you in danger of a concussion, including sports, car accidents, and workplace injuries. Even simple mishaps at home like bumping your head or slipping in the bathroom can cause one. Unfortunately, the symptoms aren’t always easy to detect.
Some expected symptoms of concussions are dizziness, headaches, nausea, vision issues, and ringing in the ears. But there can also be signs that don’t seem related to brain injuries, such as slower reflexes, sleeping problems, anxiety, and depression. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical care immediately for early detection and treatment.
Older Adults Are at Higher Risk for Brain Injuries.
When hearing about brain injuries, you may think of professional athletes doing extreme sports. But in reality, older adults over 65 are the people most at risk for brain injuries, and falling is the usual culprit. If you have a senior in your family, there are many steps you can take to make your home as fall-proof for them as possible.
You can start by removing all throw rugs and clutter that can cause them to slip and fall. It can also help to have more lights in your home, so older people can see more clearly and navigate your home safely. In addition, you can install assistive features like grab bars, handrails, and higher toilet seats around your home.
Wearing Helmets Can Save People of All Ages From Brain Injuries.
While older adults are more prone to brain injuries, this sort of injury can happen to anyone. The best way to protect yourself from severe brain injuries is to wear a helmet during risky activities like motorcycling, biking, or horseback riding. Aggressive sports such as football, hockey, skateboarding, and skiing call for a helmet too.
If you have kids, require them to wear a well-fitting helmet while doing sports or outdoor activities. It’s crucial to instill this habit in them early on.
Decreasing Screen Time Can Speed up Brain Injury Recovery.
If you’re suffering from a brain injury, the CDC recommends limiting your screen time to speed up your recovery. The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School conducted an in-depth study on this. The findings indicate that avoiding your phone or laptop for the first 48 hours of recovery encourages cognitive brain rest and reduces the duration of your symptoms.
Less screen time also lowers the risk of eye muscle strain, a common side-effect among recovering brain injury patients. As hard as it may be to stay away from your phone, it’s a small sacrifice for brain health.
The Bottom Line
Help your friends and family gain more awareness of brain injuries. Educate them on the importance of wearing a helmet. Explain the symptoms of brain injuries and encourage them to speak up immediately if they experience any of them. For more information, contact Friedman Law Offices at +1 800-876-1093.