Concussion: Brain Wounding Typically Not Treated

Every person with a Concussion has a right to be told that a safe and effective treatment exist to help heal the brain wound. Hoping a Concussion Protocol will somehow allow a brain wound to heal borders on medical negligence.

Concussion Protocols worldwide have a built-in bias toward an outmoded approach to brain wounds/TBI/PTSD/Concussion/BLAST.

None of the protocols mention Oxygen treatment to repair the underlying brain wound/trauma caused by the concussion. They offer “resting” advice to parents of children with concussions, who often have debilitating symptoms.

Concussions are a brain wound, a form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A concussion is a wound/physical tauma to the soft tissue we call the brain. A concussion begins a negative “concussion cascade” that can lead to serious and sometimes fatal consequences. This brain wounding is accompanied by symptoms of confusion or disorientation, sometimes loss of consciousness, and memory loss. It is often described as having your “bell rung.” While it is true that these symptoms will diminish over time in many cases, there can be long-term physiological and other consequences when you do not treat the brain wound.

What is this Concussion Cascade, and why haven’t I been told about it?

It has been very difficult to “see” the wound/damage to the brain on routine X-rays, including CT scans and MRIs. Medicine diagnoses concussions by identifying the symptoms. You are assumed to be “better” when those symptoms go away. Doctors typically say that 80-90% of concussions heal on their own. What about the 20% whose symptoms remain?

The Concussion Cascade can include these findings:

• Inflammation
• Reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to brain cells
• Reduced nutrients and enzymes necessary for wound healing/repair
• Physical damage to brain matter at the microscopic level and not seen on X-rays, CT scans or MRIs
• Oxygen starvation/hypoxia
• Cell inactivation and death
• Buildup of waste in the brain that can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in some cases

And don’t be shocked to learn that the same people that tell you everything will be fine in time, they are quick to warn about a second concussion. But if everthing is okay if you follow the Concussion Protocol, why worry about a second or a third? Well, maybe because there is residual damage from the brain wound that never healed.

Concussions are typically a mild form of traumatic brain injury (mTBI). To understand concussions in the context of all brain wounds, it is instructive to look at just a few of the brain wounds we deal with every day. None are to be taken lightly, yet most are never treated properly: as a brain wound, not as a mental health problem that will somehow magically heal via “the tincture of time.”

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external force, such as a blow to the head, a penetrating head injury, or a blast injury. 

Major Symptoms of TBI can vary greatly in severity and may include:

• Physical Symptoms: Headache 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Dizziness or loss of balance 
• Fatigue or drowsiness 
• Sensitivity to light and sound 
• Blurred vision 
• Changes in speech 
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in extremities 
• Seizures 
• Cognitive Symptoms: Confusion 
• Difficulty thinking clearly 
• Memory problems 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Slowed thinking or processing information 
• Problems with judgment 
• Behavioral or Mood Symptoms: Irritability 
• Agitation 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Aggression 
• Changes in personality 

Severity of TBI:

• Mild TBI (concussion):May involve a brief period of unconsciousness or disorientation. 
• Medicine says that symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks, but they do little to adequately treat and heal the brain wound
• Moderate TBI: Loss of consciousness for an extended period.
• Possible confusion and disorientation for hours or days. 
• May experience more severe cognitive and physical symptoms.
• Severe TBI: Extended period of unconsciousness or coma. 
• Significant neurological damage. 
• May result in long-term disabilities. 

BLAST damage. Blast injuries occur when explosions create high-pressure waves that can damage sensitive organs like the ears and brain.

A blast injury is caused by the intense energy released in an explosion and can lead to a wide range of injuries, depending on the type of blast.

1. Primary Blast Injury

This type of injury results from the direct effects of the blast wave on the body. It primarily affects air-filled organs, such as the lungs, ears, and gastrointestinal tract.

• Concussion or brain injury:
• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Cognitive difficulties (memory loss, confusion)
• Ear damage:
• Tympanic membrane (eardrum) rupture
• Hearing loss or decreased hearing
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Ear pain or pressure
• Balance issues or vertigo
• Pulmonary (lung) injuries:
• Pulmonary contusion (bruising of lung tissue)
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity)
• Respiratory distress or failure
• Hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Gastrointestinal injuries:
• Bowel perforation or rupture
• Abdominal pain or distension
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

General Symptoms of Blast Injury

• Shock (hypovolemic or neurogenic shock)
• Pain (due to tissue damage, fractures, or burns)
• Confusion or altered mental status (due to brain injury or shock)
• Loss of consciousness (can be temporary or prolonged)
• Respiratory distress (due to lung damage or blocked airways)
• Bleeding or bruising (due to internal injuries or shrapnel wounds)
• Fatigue and weakness (due to trauma or blood loss)

Long-Term Effects

• Cognitive or psychological issues (such as memory problems, mood disorders)
• Chronic hearing loss or tinnitus
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic pain and disability due to fractures or soft tissue damage
• Pulmonary problems or chronic lung disease (if lung injury was significant)

Polytrauma and Operator Syndrome are more complex and additive injuries suffered along with brain wounding. What is true for mTBI/Concussion is also true for these conditions. Short of death, these are the worst war and accidents can serve up. Proper diagnosis and proper treatment are mandatory to restore near-normal function. And that includes treating and healing brain wounds.

You do not have to sit idly by hoping a Concussion will heal on its own when you follow the Concussion Protocol.

NOTE: Ask yourself where in the NFL Concussion Protocol, or ANY protocol in high school or college or the NHL or FIFA or your local hospital, any attention is paid to treating and healing the brain wound. Here’s a taste:

The NFL Concussion Protocol is a multi-step process designed to evaluate and manage players suspected of having a concussion. Here’s a simplified summary: 

1. On-Field Evaluation:

• Spotting the injury: If a player displays concerning symptoms (e.g., dizziness, confusion, loss of balance) on the field, medical personnel are immediately alerted. 
• Sideline assessment: A brief initial evaluation is conducted on the sideline to assess for any “no-go” symptoms (e.g., loss of consciousness, seizures, severe motor weakness). 

2. Locker Room Evaluation:

• More thorough examination: If concerns remain, the player undergoes a more comprehensive evaluation in the locker room. This includes neurological tests, cognitive assessments, and balance tests. 

3. Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) Evaluation:

• Independent assessment: An independent neurologist examines the player to provide an unbiased evaluation. 

4. Return-to-Play Protocol:

• Gradual progression: Players must pass through a series of steps before returning to play, including:
• Rest: Initial rest and symptom monitoring.
• Light aerobic exercise: Gradually increasing physical activity. 
• Non-contact drills: Introducing non-contact football activities. 
• Contact practice: Gradual reintroduction to contact drills.
• Full practice participation: Returning to full practice with the team.

5. Ongoing Monitoring:

• Continued observation: Players are closely monitored for any recurring symptoms throughout the return-to-play process. 

Key Points:

• Player safety is paramount: The protocol emphasizes the importance of player safety and aims to prevent premature return to play. 
• Independent evaluation: The involvement of an independent neurologist ensures unbiased assessment. 
• Gradual progression: The step-wise approach allows for a safe and gradual return to play. 
• Ongoing monitoring: Continuous monitoring helps identify any potential complications.

Note: not a word about brain inflammation, reduced oxygen, healing the brain wound. The NFL spends more time healing ACLs, hamstrings, and broken bones than it does on brain wounds. Yet more former players succumb to suicide or CTE than to orthopedic injuries. Of course, those players are off the NFL’s books by that time.

Heal Brains. Stop Suicides. Restore Lives. TreatNOW

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The TreatNOW Mission is ending service member suicides. Along the way, we have learned that we can end suicidal ideation, help end symptoms of PTSD, get patients off most of their drugs, and heal brain wounds to end the effects of Concussion, BLAST injury, mild TBI Persistent Post Concussive Syndrome, and polytrauma from AHI and Burn Pits. www.treatnow.org

Information provided by TreatNOW.org does not constitute a medical recommendation. It is intended for informational purposes only, and no claims, either real or implied, are being made.