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Archive for the ‘Brain Injuries’ Category

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Developments in the field of Brain Injury Awareness

Monday, January 14th, 2013

When a brain injury occurs, it is crucial to go to a hospital or diagnostic imaging clinic to have a CT Scan or MRI test completed right away to assess what has happened.

A recent study found that , however, that CT scans can miss minor bleeds on the brain. Individuals with mild traumatic brain injuries may have normal CT Scans. It may take more sophisticated scans to see abnormalities. MRIs are of course, more expensive.

The study tracked patients with mild TBI for 3 months. Researchers found that over a quarter of patients with normal CT Scans on the day of injury had positive findings on their MRIs when tested a week later. Further testing showed that full recovery had not taken place after 3 months.

An MRI study is a more comprehensive study and is better able to show a comprehensive picture of damage.

This is why it is so important for patients to tell their doctors exactly how they are feeling and if they are experiencing any problems after a head injury.

The study showed that MRIs are able to show focal lesions, which are areas of microscopic bleeding in the brain.Researchers can use the presence of focal lesions to predict which patients are more likely to have ongoing neurological problems.

MRIs are better indicators of the course of injury and recovery.

A brain injury can cause long term damage to the brain. A traumatic brain injury can lead to inflammation and slow regeneration of brain cells. A study from the University of South Florida, found that even at the most chronic stage of injury, therapeutic intervention can help with the regeneration of brain cells. The study examined brain injuries to different areas of the brain and found that TBIs caused a second wave of cell death that impairs cell proliferation and impedes that brain’s ability to regenerate cells.

The study’s researchers found that microglia cells at the injury site and distant sites were activated around 8 weeks after injury. The researchers feel that therapeutic intervention may help prevent some long term damage to the brain.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 people sustain a traumatic brain injury per year and of that number, 75% are concussions or some other form of mild TBI.

Aaron Waxman & Associates is a Toronto Personal Injury Firm that advocates for the rights of its clients. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Brain Injury Awareness: New Developments in Research & Technology

Monday, December 17th, 2012

A portable liquid cooling helmet could be used to help treat concussions. This helmet was designed by a former NASA engineer, Bill Elkins. The helmet is a portable emergency cooling system that can help triage brain injuries like concussions. The helmet cools the brain, inducing a type of  controlled hypothermia that protects the nerve cells. This forces the nerves to “hibernate” and that encourage recovery.

A Canadian health IT start up company is launching a web based and tablet based tool called BrainFX360, which will help with assessing brain disorders. The company , BrainFX was founded by two Canadian occupational therapists who hope to have their product break into the US market place. Typically, a clinical neurological assessment can take anywhere from 15-20 hours. The idea is that an assessment tool should be available that can capture how a brain injury affects a person’s every day life and the tool should be sensitive enough to be able to detect minor impairments. The BrainFX360 tool consists of a 2 part assessment, to establish a baseline study.

The first part of the assessment is completed by the individual and is with regard to mood, history, behaviour, sleep etc and takes about 20 minutes. The second part of the assessment is administered by a health professional and the health professional has to be certified by BrainFX in order to administer the test. The tablet based assessment has the patient do different activities that measure cognitive skills.

Did you know that zebrafish are able to re-grow brain cells? Scientists have identified the mechanism that allows zebrafish  to re-grow brain cells after injury.  Scientists have long been aware that this species of fish can regenerate brain cells after injury, unlike humans, by activating stem cells. The question of how, long remained a mystery until recently.

Researchers have discovered that regeneration in the zebrafish brain is actually linked to inflammation; a side effect of brain injury that is thought to be harmful to the brain. It appears that inflammation is what ‘kick starts’ the regeneration process in the zebrafish.

In mammals, including humans, chronic brain inflammation (persistent inflammation, or inflammation that lingers) is linked to scarring and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Acute inflammation (lasts for a short period) is usually related to a blow to the head or sports injury.

When brain trauma occur, cells tend to build up at the site of the injury, which is how scar tissue forms in mammals. In zebrafish, when trauma occurs, it triggers regeneration.

Scientists were able to identify a molecule called leukotriene C4 (LTC4) – which, when injected into the uninjured zebrafish brain, mimicked the regenerative response. The study authors and scientists noted the implications this could have for humans.

In other research news, stem cells could help in treating traumatic brain injury. Scientists from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center received a one-year, $20,000 grant from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin (CTSI). Their study is with respect to how stem cells derived from bone marrow assist in the healing of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Currently, there are no effective therapies for TBI. According to the researchers,  there is increasing evidence that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have potential to migrate toward the site of trauma and stimulate recovery of the damaged brain tissue after TBI.

Aaron Waxman & Associates is a Toronto Personal Injury Law Firm. We handle personal injury cases, including claims for traumatic brain injuries and catastrophic claims.

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Ontario Coroner’s Report on Pedestrian Deaths: No Jaywalking and Reduce Speed Limits

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

Ontario’s Deputy Chief Coroner, Dr. Bert Lauwers issued his report on pedestrian deaths on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, in collaboration with the Office of the Coroner.

The Report reminds us that we are all pedestrians.

According to the Coroner’s office, approximately 113 Ontarians die annually from pedestrian accidents.

The Coroner’s office suggested the following:

  1. Pedestrian deaths are more likely to occur during the months when daylight is shorter. (e.g. November to March).
  2. Pedestrian deaths are more likely to occur when a pedestrian and/or driver is using a mobile entertainment/communication device. (e.g. cell phone, ipod, etc.).
  3. Pedestrian deaths are more likely to occur when one or more persons involved in the collision are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
  4. The vast majority of pedestrian deaths are preventable.

According to the Review on Pedestrian Deaths, in Canada, characteristics of pedestrian traffic are as follows:

  • 75% of pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred on urban roads;
  • 60% of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were trying to cross the road;
  • 35% of fatally injured pedestrians were aged 65 or older even though they represent only 13% of the population;
  • 63% of pedestrians killed at intersections were 65 or older;
  • 6% of fatally injured pedestrians were under the age of 16 and of these, 20% ran out into the street;
  • 33% of fatally injured pedestrians acted in a manner which caused or contributed to the crash;
  • 33% of fatally injured pedestrians were struck by a driver who had committed a traffic infraction prior to the crash;
  • 60% of pedestrians were killed at night or during dim light conditions when they were not seen by drivers; and
  • 40% of fatally injured pedestrians had been drinking

The Coroner’s Office made 26 recommendations in the Report. Highlights of the recommendations include:

  • lowering speed limits in residential areas to 40 km/h
  • installing side guards on heavy trucks to help prevent people from falling beneath and getting crushed by the rear wheels
  • implementing a complete streets approach to guide the development of new communities and redevelopment of existing ones
  • creating an educational program for senior citizens and other adult pedestrians
  • creating an educational program for drivers

The Coroner found that 67% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on streets with a posted speed limit of above 50km/h.

Other significant factors for pedestrian deaths included jaywalking, inattentive motorists and distracted walkers.

It was found that nearly one third of pedestrians died while jaywalking.

The Report notes that in 14% of the deaths, driver inattention was noted.

Pedestrian distractions including dogs, smartphones and cellphones may have contributed to 20% of the fatalities.

Canada has a Road Safety Strategy according to the Report. The vision of the Strategy is to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world. Currently, Canada is ranked 10th in terms of fatalities per billion vehicle kilometers travelled compared to other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The key elements of the Strategy are:

  • a downward directional trend in fatality and serious injury rates over the 2011 to 2015 period;
  • jurisdictions will adopt a holistic (Safer System) approach addressing the vehicle, the road infrastructure, and road users based on the primary risk groups;
  • an evidence-based Best Practice Framework will be adopted in choosing interventions;
  • a fluid and flexible approach will allow jurisdictions to adopt best practices appropriate to their situation; and
  • jurisdictions will own their road safety plans.

To achieve this, the Strategy seeks to target:

  • young drivers (16 to 24);
  • medically-at-risk drivers (e.g. those with heart disease or cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease);
  • vulnerable road users (i.e. pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists);
  • motor carriers (e.g. managers of carrier operations, truck and bus drivers);
  • high risk drivers (e.g. those who don’t wear seat belts or who speed, drive impaired, or drive without a valid license) and the general population.

Dr. Andrew McCallum, Chief Coroner for Ontario stated “A road safety paradigm shift will be necessary”, acknowledging that the rising cost of fuel will result in an increase in cyclists and pedestrians.

 

Aaron Waxman and Associates is a Toronto personal injury law firm. We handle various types of personal injury claims including motor vehicle accident, pedestrian, long term disability and critical illness claims.

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In the News: Brain Injuries

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

A Traumatic Brain Injury occurs when something outside the body hits the head with a significant force. The recent suicide of former pro football player, Junior Seau rekindled the debate on “unseen” injuries in football. These “unseen” injuries are now being classified by the CDC as traumatic brain injuries.

A traumatic brain injury can be the result of a car accident, from a fall, sports injury or other recreational activities or trauma from a blast or explosion (combat).

A TBI can cause changes in a person’s ability to think, control emotions, walk, speak, or even affect his or her sense of sight or hearing.

In the US and in Canada. TBIs are happening in epidemic proportions.

A recent article commented that “combat and football are not that different”, meaning that the potential for brain injuries are similar as are their consequences.  Troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan bear the outward signs of injury from  combat, but they also bear the “unseen” injuries” of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and TBI.

The CDC reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death amongst teenagers. The National Institute of Health says that teenagers and children are more susceptible to brain injuries and concussions as their brains are still developing. Young brains are also more likely to suffer long-term neurological and psychological disabilities that can affect social and cognitive skills, as well as family relationships, for years to come. As the brain is the most difficult organ to heal in the body, the road to recovery is long and often very costly.

Dr. Charles Tator, concussion and brain injury expert made a definite statement about the game of hockey: “We have no treatment for concussions…We have no treatment for the accumulative concussion, we have no treatment for the repetitive concussion, and it is the repetitive concussion that causes brain damage.Let’s get head shots out of hockey.”

The admission that there is no treatment for concussions is enough to carry out the debate on head shots throughout the summer. The statement comes at a time when over 1000 former NFL players are suing the league.

A U.S. study has found that female and younger athletes show more symptoms of a concussion and take longer to recover from its effects. The research comes out of a study from Michigan State University and suggests that physicians now take age and gender in mind when treating an athlete that has suffered a concussion. Canadian experts in concussions have been agreeing with the study and have also been finding that women have a higher mortality rate following severe traumatic brain injuries, outcomes seem to be worse and recovery seems to take longer than men.

Concussion risk may be influenced by gender, age, neck strength/weakness, reaction time and symptom reporting. The developing brain of younger athletes should be treated differently than adults. Experts say that each case should be treated differently.

Aaron Waxman and Associates handles traumatic brain injury injury claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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In the News: Concussions

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

Concussions. An invisible injury that has long lasting consequences.

Concussions are garnering a lot of attention in the news over the past year or so due to Sidney Crosby and all the other concussed hockey players and major league sports players.

Before the start of the NBA season, a new concussion protocol was launched. The league has a concussion program director. Each player’s neurological baseline is studied before the beginning of the season. After a concussion, a player’s neurological baseline is compared to the initial test and the player has to return to his original neurological baseline in order to return to play. A series of tests are done to test exertion and if a player remains symptom free after these tests, he can return to play.

High schools in the United States are experimenting with using a new helmet cover developed by The Hanson Group in Georgia and Protective Sports Equipment in Pennsylvania. The helmet cover, nicknamed “the Guardian”, has 37 gel-filled pouches that fit over a helmet and cushion against helmet-to-helmet blows that are so dangerous that the NFL aggressively penalizes them.

The NFL’s helmet sponsor Riddell tweaks the padding and design of its equipment on a regular basis. Xenith LLC’s line of helmets use air-filled pads rather than foam. Other companies are testing more dramatic changes.

A New York-based startup company called Thermopraxis and Schutt Sports – the largest producer of football helmets – are working on a product called the Thermocrown. The Thermocrown is a bladder that can fit inside a player’s helmet. It is based on an idea developed by Renato Rozental, a Brazilian neuroscientist. The idea of the Thermocrown is that in the event of a hard hit to the head, a trainer or teammate would be able to attach a source of cooling gas to the bladder in the helmet to lower the head’s temperature and stave off damage, having a similar effect to applying an ice pack.

This concept can buy time, up to four to five hours to allow the hurt player to be taken off the field and transported to a hospital.

An independent industrial design engineer, Michael Princip is developing the Bulwark, featuring multiple plates on the helmet’s exterior, to mitigate the impact of big hits and frequent smaller ones that are part of the football games.

Hundreds of former NFL players are suing the NFL and helmet maker Riddell in the wake of a growing evidence connecting repeated blows to the head and long-term brain damage. Reported symptoms include short term and long term memory issues and depression and behavioural changes.

They say the league didn’t do enough to inform players about the dangers of head injuries and protect them from concussions in the past, and it isn’t doing enough to take care of them today. At the very least, these lawsuits brings awareness to the fore and they are about education and awareness down to the level of highschool football leagues and young football leagues.

The Youth Sports Concussion Program is the first program in Canada to create a standardized model for how primary care providers “diagnose, assess, treat and manage concussions.” It is being used in Peterborough, Ontario.

Family doctors and nurses are able to manage concussions without patients needed to go to the emergency room through the use of several tools and techniques compiled by the program. The program also focuses on concussion awareness through an education component by going to schools throughout Peterborough to educate youth about the seriousness of a concussion.

The program makes use of something called Axon Sports’ Computer Cognitive Assessment Tool. It’s a 10-minute-long online test that measures a person’s working memory, attention, learning and ability to process information in a set time frame . These are four skills that can be affected by concussions.

Young athletes take the test before their season begins to set a benchmark for their abilities. Should they be injured, they retake the test and compare the results. Comparing the test results is important because cognitive recovery takes longer than physical recovery. Most kids would try to play through a concussion and insist they are okay to play, this way, using a baseline study, there is a way to determine their level of functioning.

Aaron Waxman and Associates is a personal injury law firm that handles personal injury claims in Ontario. We handle serious injury claims and brain injury claims. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

 

 

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Recent Developments in Brain Injury Research

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Brain Trauma might be more common than expected according to the Mayo Clinic. In a recent study published in the journal Epidemiology, researchers from the Mayo Clinic applied a new system for classifying injuries to the head and found that the incidence of traumatic brain injury is likely greater than has been estimated by the CDC.

What people often fail to remember and recognize is that even mild traumatic brain injuries can affect a person’s sensory motor functions, thinking, awareness and communication.  A lot of people have gone undiagnosed.

Researchers came up with the  Mayo Traumatic Brain Injury Classification System, a new brain injury method that classifies head injuries with new categories.  The categories label patients with “definite,” “probable” and “possible” TBIs, providing a way to incorporate symptoms such as a brief period of unconsciousness or even an injured patient’s complaint of dizziness or nausea.

Researchers are finding a strong link between TBI and post traumatic stress disorder. Researchers found a causal link between mild traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. There is an increased susceptibility to developing PTSD. People who have sustained a mild TBI are also more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.

An experimental drug might limit stroke damage. There is currently only one effective treatment for stroke, which is a Tissue Plasminogen Activator TPA that can dissolve blood clots that cause a stroke. the catch is that is has to be given very soon after symptoms appear and doctors first have to make sure that the stroke itself was not caused by a ruptured blood vessel. If that was the case, TPA can make the situation a lot worse.

At the Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute in Canada, it was discovered that a drug known as a PSD-95 inhibitor could be used as a treatment for strokes. It works by blocking a key protein that leads to brain-cell death. The study has been published in the journal, Nature.

Daily doses of a drug, Amantadine, used to treat Parkinson’s disease may help treat brain injuries according to a new study. The drug was given to patients who had suffered severe brain injuries. The doctors found that the drug helped with recovery and noticed a difference between patients who were given the drug and patients who were part of the clinical study that did not receive the drug.

Amantadine was also used as a flu drug in the past. When given to patients with serious traumatic brain injuries, it was noted that far fewer patients who were given this drug remained in a vegetative state. Visible steps towards recovery was seen.

Another medication being tested as a treatment for brain injuries is Clazosentan. A TBI causes a decrease of blood flow to the cerebrum of the brain. There is a receptor in the brain called endothelin receptor A (ETrA) contributes to the restriction of blood flow as early as four hours after a brain injury. Clazosentan is thought to specifically block these receptors.

How can doctors truly diagnose a brain injury? ABC news posted an article about detecting unseen damage in the brain with traumatic brain injuries. Doctors often miss brain injury damage that doesn’t show up on scans. Scientists are in the process of testing a tool that lights up the damage caused to the brain’s wiring by blows to the heads. Scientists want to make these “invisible wounds” visible.

For doctors, if they can’t see or quantify the damage, it’s hard to treat it. Especially with more serious head injuries, standard scans, like CT scans cannot see beyond bleeding or swelling to tell if the brain’s connections are broken in a way it that it can’t repair on its own.

Scientists are looking into technology called fibre -tracking, referring to nerve fibre, which act like a telephone network. These fibres make up the white matter of the brain. The new proposed MRI scan examines these connections and detects if any connects have been broken.

Aaron Waxman and Associates is a Toronto Personal Injury Law Firm that handles brain injury litigation claims and other personal injury matters.

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In the News: Brain Injuries

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Aaron Waxman and Associates recently became a Gold Sponsor of the Brain Injury Association of Peel and Halton (BIAPH). As a law firm that has experience with brain injured clients and brain injury litigation, we will be dedicating some of our blog postings to discussing the prevention of brain injuries, brain injury awareness and brain injury news articles.

According to a recent press release, on the Wall Street Market Watch site, a newly developed drug called Clazosentan has shown some promise in treating traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury causes a decrease in blood flow in the cerebrum of the brain, and this, if prolonged causes permanent cell dysfunction and death. A receptor in the brain known as “endothelin receptor” contributes to the restriction of blood flow as early as four hours after a brain injury. Clazosentan is thought to block these endothelin receptors from restricting blood flow. When the drug was given to rats with brain injuries, it was seen that it was most effective 2 hours after injury, with a second dose at 24 hours.

Looking to the world of sports, MSN Health posted an article entitled “Good Football Helmet Fit Key to Preventing Brain Injuries“. Studies show there is no such thing as a concussion proof-helmet, however, a good helmet might help reduce the loss of consciousness that follows a hit to the head. Study author Dr. Joseph Tong from Temple University in Philadelphia revealed that in cases where study subjects suffered a concussion but were wearing a helmet, 82% did not suffer a loss of consciousness.

Some tips to remember (courtesy of msnhealth.com):

  • Players’ eyes should be visible.
  • Helmet ear holes should line up with players’ ears.
  • Cheek pads should sit next to the skin, without a big gap.
  • The back of the skull should be covered.
  • Mouth guards should stay in mouths. They should fit past the second molar on both sides. Molded mouthguards are better  because that helps absorb the shock when players get hit in the head.
  • A helmet shouldn’t shake or rattle; it should stay neutral. If you grab the facemask and the chin strap is tightened up all the way, you should not be able to move the facemask left or right.
  • Find out if helmets are re-certified every year. One way you can tell: there should be a sticker at the back of the helmet with the year.

Also in the news was a recent development regarding depression.

What if Depression could be diagnosed through a blood test? It might help reduce stigma associated with depression and encourage people to get treatment. It could help promote new treatments too. Depression is usually diagnosed in a psychological manner (questionnaire), but a new study has shown that blood tests can diagnose depression. The study is published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry and describes how blood tests were screened for 9 biomarkers associated with symptoms of depression.

Traumatic Brain Injuries have been referred to as a Silent Epidemic. A local study in Virginia is interested in how the brain functions throughout the course of an injury and tracking how it heals. Doctors find it difficult to accurately diagnose TBI as tests are not precise enough. This new study from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute wants to use MRIs to see how the brain heals from concussions. The idea is to take images of the brain as soon as possible after injury and keep following up. A functional MRI machine would be used. This machine demonstrates changes to brain reactions when the subject is thinking, reacting, etc.

 

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Brain Injury News

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Brain Injury stories feature prominently in the news on a daily basis.

A really interesting article that was recently published, entitled “Woodpeckers could hold the key to head injury prevention” examines how woodpeckers may hold the answers to minimizing head injuries. This sounds pretty unbelievable, but by studying the anatomy of woodpeckers and behavioural features, researchers can determine how to design better helmets to prevent sports related head injuries.

Woodpeckers are able to peck at a tree trunk, at high speed, resulting in intense deceleration force on impact, without sustaining a brain injury. Researchers in Hong Kong and Beijing are undertaking this study. They found that cranial bones and the structure of the beak, particularly the “spongy” area are what protects the brain from sustaining injury. The researchers conclude that the shock absorption system is not based on a single factor, but is a result of the combined effect of a number of different morphological features.

This research could be applied to developing new safety gear.

One only has to remember the devastating number of sports related accidents and head injuries that take place annually to appreciate how this type of research could be helpful.

A recent article on USNews.com, entitled “Children with head injuries can face a lifetime of problems” discusses a new study whose results determined that children who suffered head trauma from falls, car accidents or other mishaps face prolonged difficulties. If you recall our series of blog posts related to brain injuries, you will remember how many effects a brain injury has.

Researchers found that severe brain trauma affected a child’s daily quality of life. Children with significant problems that last more than two years are unlikely to see significant changes in their condition.  The article discusses the importance and need for adequate prevention. In the United States, 30 states have implemented protocol to removed suspected concussed players from games and have them properly assessed. Recently, the NFL has implemented such rules as well.

Currently, the NFL is under scrutiny and is involved in litigation for how it handles head injuries. The NFL is going through a “concussion saga”: more than 125 former pro-football players are suing the National Football League, stating the NFL should have done more to help prevent head injuries and educate players. The lawsuit focuses on concussions, brain injuries and the duty of the NFL to inform players of associated risks of prolonged exposure to trauma to the head.

Aaron Waxman and Associates is a Toronto Personal Injury Law Firm specializing in serious personal injury matters. Aaron Waxman’s team of lawyers handles brain injury cases and catastrophic cases.

 

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Misconceptions about Brain Injuries

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Brain injuries are serious. All types of brain injuries should be take seriously.

A brain injury has often been called an invisible disability.

When people think of the word disability, often times a physical connotation is associated with it.

A brain injury is irreversible.

What a brain injury is not, is an intellectual disability. A brain injury is a very complicated injury. Brain injury survivors usually retain their intellectual abilities but have difficulty controlling, coordinating and communicating their thoughts and actions.

This is different from a learning disability or intellectual disability.

A brain injury is complex. There is no outward damage that is visible to family and friends to understand the how and why.

Effects such as fatigue, irritability, anger, mood swings may be misconstrued by family members, friends, employers and health professionals. This is why it is crucial that a brain injury be recognized as a disability and why disability insurance should be available for those who have suffered from a brain injury.

In the previous 3 posts about the Impacts of Brain Injuries, we listed many cognitive and physical effects of a brain injury. It is understandable that a brain injury survivor would have difficulty returning to employment after enduring serious trauma.

Just like many individuals with psychological injuries have been granted recognition of being totally disabled by their LTD insurer, if someone who has suffered from a brain injury requires extended leave from work, his or her situation should be recognized. More physicians and insurers have to realize the seriousness of brain injuries in order to help our clients access the benefits they are entitled to.

If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury and want to make sure your rights are protected, contact Aaron Waxman & Associates for a free consultation.

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Impact of a Brain Injury- Part 3

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Brain injuries are traumatic on many levels.

Previously we have discussed the cognitive changes that can occur as a result of a brain injury. In this segment, we turn to the potential physical changes that brain injury survivors can experience.

The lawyers at the law firm of Aaron Waxman & Associates advocates for their clients’ best interests when it comes to representing those with any types of injuries. We have represented many clients who have suffered from serious disabilities and brain injuries. We believe in treating our clients with respect and introducing them to the proper rehabilitation providers to help them along their journey to recovery.

Courtesy of the Ontario Brain Injury Association, these are Physical Changes that someone who has suffered a brain injury might expect to occur:

Loss of Taste and Smell: The olfactory nerve is located between the frontal lobe and the skull. Trauma to the head can cause damage to this area and result in anosmia, damage to the smell processing cells. This area is vulnerable to damage to the nasal structures too.

Issues with Dizziness and Balance: These complaints are very common after a brain injury. Once there has been damage to the brain stem, blood pressure fluctuates as a result to the areas controlling the heart and causes vertigo from damage to the inner ear.

Epilepsy and Seizures: Medication can help to control these conditions but uncontrollable seizures can cause associated disabilities. These are chronic medical conditions produced by temporary changes in the electrical functioning of the brain. Seizures affect awareness, movement or sensation.

Fatigue: Fatigue occurs after injury to the frontal lobes and is a disorder of motivation. Fatigue is sometimes called Adynamia. People with this condition will experience loss of drive, indifference and placidity and may find themselves exhausted for days i they do not carefully manage their  limited energy levels.

Headaches: There are multiple sources of head and neck pain, both inside and outsides of the head. Headaches arising from a brain injury can be caused by displacement of the intracranial structures, inflammation, decreased blood flow, increased muscle tone, inflammation of the thin layers of tissue coating the brain and increased intracranial pressure.

Visual Problems: Brain injuries can cause visual changes. A few of the more common visual problems include double vision, field cuts, sector losses, rapid eye movement and near- sightedness.

Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the expected healing time. It includes headaches, neck, shoulder, lower back pain and/or pain in other body areas if trauma caused the brain injury.

Paralysis: Differing degrees of paralysis can affect all parts of the body depending on which part of the brain has been injured. Some effects include poor coordination, difficulty walking, visual difficulties or weakness on one side of the body.

Hearing Problems: Hearing problems occur for a number of reasons, both mechanical and neurologic, particularly when the inner ear and/or temporal lobes have been damaged. Tinnitus can occur. Tinnitus is when noises are heard such as buzzing, hissing or ringing in the ears. Meniere’s syndrome is caused by excessive pressure in the inner ear and can cause vertigo.  Auditory agnosia is impaired recognition of nonverbal sounds and noises. Sometimes trauma to the inner ear can cause a person to be sensitive to certain noises and pitches.

 

 

 

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