He stopped climbing after his first child was born, imagine that. He has found other safer hobbies oh, like camping, traveling, dealing with lots of family videos, and most recently bouncing his first grandchild on his lap.
I feel so much for Ms. Richardson's children, who are just a bit younger than my youngest. What a horrible accident. This useful discussion makes me realize just how poorly we are all educated about these issues in public schools. What my teen self instead saw on the head injury front were action films, pro wrestling, and other "evidence" that things like headbutts or slams into hard surfaces were to be considered easily recovered from, humorous, or "awesome".
Luckily I was fine, but I would never have imagined then that such an event might--had the snow not been as soft--result in death. Speaking personally, I fear the benefits of helmets may be overstated in the general population to the point that they enable more risk-taking behaviour: My brother once turned to me unprompted during a discussion on ski-ing in general and said "I love helmets, they make you invincible".
Obviously to a certain extent this was deliberate hyperbole, yet clearly if one has an unjustified level of faith that "a helmet will save them" it seems to me more likely that they're going to end up in the ER with an injury that the helmet didn't save them from. It's the curse of protective equipment advocacy: if you tell the truth about the benefits that they're probably real, but very limited then people are less likely to wear them, but if you push them hard, then people may gain an unjustified sense of safety from wearing them.
PalMD, have you thought of a post on concussions? It would be a useful piece of education - you have 3 or 4 commentors here who have questions and would like information for example, there's no evidence for late neurological consequences, but people often mistake ordinary difficulties for symptoms of brain injury.
The 'risk homeostasis' aspect of helmets is probably oversold. There's good evidence that motorcycle helmets save lives, and the push to repeal mandatory helmets has increased the number of organs for donation. And not just yours -- jumping from a lift can derail the lift and dump out others who are not prepared and may be much higher up over for instance rocks. If there is one behavior at ski areas that I hate most, it's lift jumping.
Were it up to me, every one we catch would be charged with reckless endangerment and, pending trial, spend a few nights in Whiteriver jail. Sessions wrote: "The statistics are that helmets do a very good job of reducing minor head injuries. To the contrary, ski helmets DO reduce the severity of head injuries and DO reduce the risk of fatalities, as shown by several well-designed and peer-reviewed studies in the past several years.
My colleague Stewart Levy, MD, a neurosurgeon, and I a neuropsychologist and brain injury rehabilitation specialist have been performing helmet counts at Colorado ski areas since , and tracking admissions to our Level I trauma center to assess the effectiveness of helmets and publishing the results!
And trying to educate ski patrolers! We have looked at over patients admitted from the slopes. Even with major mechanism injuries i. For instance, in one series of helmeted snowboarders admitted for a brain injury, only one of 19 had a positive CT showing a small contusion, and he had fallen after a 15 ft high jump and landed on his head wearing an uncertified helmet.
Another guy fell 40 ft. He was given a dx of brain injury based on his two days of disorientation. The data also clearly indicate that it takes a bigger fall to get a brain injury if you are helmeted than if you are not. We have also seen no correlation between helmet use and other injuries, including spinal injuries.
There is no evidence to support the myth that helmets promote risk taking behavior or lead to delusions of "invulnerability. Take-home lesson: always ski with a helmet! George Rossie, Ph. I admit that I don't have studies regarding helmet use, just the anecdotal evidence of every cyclist I've ever known and I grew up in a cycling family telling me a "my helmet saved my life" story.
Now, that's a hobby where most of the time it's a skidding injury, so helmets seem like a really good idea. But I have to wonder, having gone over-handlebars twice, once foolishly without a helmet and once with: has anyone studied whether there's a difference in how we fall when wearing a helmet vs when not? I would think that people would be more likely to properly tuck and roll when wearing one, and would try to catch oneself breaking wrists or collarbones in the process when not.
But I'm not a scientist, and don't have the foggiest idea how to even search to see if something like that has been studied. Ironically some of the strongest evidence for risk compensatory behaviour comes from studies of drivers and ABS systems.
This doesn't mean that one can blindly read across from ABS systems to helmets of course, but you couldn't have chosen a worse example to scoff at! In my part of the mountain West, it's widely known that trees attract 4WD vehicles. When there's ice on the road, it's almost always the 4WD jobs that skid out. Point taken. Maybe I should have said "That's like saying that wearing a seatbelt leads to more reckless driving.
Yesterday I had to give an hour long talk to a national audience. It was stressful, because a couple days prior, my laptop hard drive failed. I had to go to BestBuy for a new 'puter. I had to email it to someone to save it in an earlier version of PP. Then I had to tunnel to a Terminal Server to open it. Then they changed the room I was supposed to be at.
I told 'em about needing to get to a Terminal Server to see my slides. So last minute race around for a LAN cable. The talk went fine. When I got home I could hardly stay awake. I went to bed at ; normally I get to bed around midnight. Woke up this morning with a headache and felt wiped out. Got nothing done today. My husband thinks I'm like my normal self. I'm not entirely sure. My sense of balance still seems a little off.
And I'm still not getting work done as I should. I can't help you with the brain fog, but you can always score OpenOffice. I share Magatha's question; is the epidural hematoma pictured prove fatal more often then not? How is that sort of thing fixed? Anyway, I'm also going to be more careful about helmet usage in the future.
I ride my bike to school, which isn't a long trip, so I'm usually lazy about taking a helmet. I absolutely love reading posts like this - it gets me excited for post-high-school education. George: Yes, I agree that seat belts are probably better, if for no other reason than the fact that they only come into effect during a crash, so the driver can't really learn how effective they are surely only a madman would want to keep crashing to test their seat belt's effectiveness?
Air bags would be the other obvious vehicular equivalent. Perhaps the wearing of crash helmets in cars ought to be the real equivalent though? I believe the head injury rates for car driving are considerably higher than those for skiing, although I don't have figures to hand.
Including citations to published work on helmets and head injuries that contradict Dr. Rossi's [1] results, with some comments on methodological issues that may or may not apply. Since the cites are all paywalled, this engineering physicist is stepping back to let the people who actually have data do what science does.
If I err, it is in the direction of earned respect. Confidence influences are interesting - Antilock Brakes had poor statistical results early on that have improved with wider take up. If everyone is expected to wear helmets, some of those not wearing them. Those with head. That is what a series of studies has done, e.
Author Thompson, D. Title Effectiveness of bicycle safety helmets in preventing head injuries. I'm typing this one handed because, the one day I go wrist brace-less, I take the brunt of a snowboarding fall on my left wrist hand. Season ender for sure glad it's March not Dec.
Managed to keep the helmeted head from hitting the slope sothat's a silver lining. My 17 month old daughter hit the back of her head in the middle near the thing that raises up. She has a small knot but its pretty raised up. She is completley normal but I am worried because of where she hit it. I dunno should I be worried? I appreciate your blog- it is very interesting, as I am an english rider who frequently falls off the horse here and there and have bumped my head in a Charles Owen helmet several times.
The first was almost 2 yrs ago, when I blacked out unconscious and woke up seconds later in utter disbelief that I was even at the barn! I was fine after that fall- just bewildered by the 'blacking out'. Since then, I've noticed as hard as I try to be defensive and proactive in falling safely, I tend to bump the back of my head only 3 times since the big fall after I've landed on my backside usually. I tend to have a headache and my MD says that since Ive gotten through the first 24 hrs, I should be fine..
I take a dose of tylenol and that's that. I am investing in the best helmet one can buy for equestrians Im not taking anymore chances. Thanks you for giving me some good advice if you can. I just went to the ER to have my head checked out.
Prior to this about 3 weeks ago , I had seen my GP at an appointment, two days before, I had slipped and fallen, he checked my eyes, and said 2nd Degree Concussion. I was stunned. He explained days of headaches, symptoms, etc.
He was an enormous help. Going to the ER, after an icicle hit me in my hairline, just above the temple, and after a sledding incident, the only thing checked were my reflexes. The doctor there was dismissive, and it begs one to wonder, if there should be a diagnostic sheet they should go through when assessing a head injury.
I felt I could have asked my daughter to use a spoon from home to do these diagnostics, he did not even check my eyes! Meanwhile, I feel woozy, nauseated, and "out of it", trying to grasp for my words.
Maybe he thought I was a drug seeker, who knows. Yes, the ER was busy, I told him I didn't want to waste his time without sarcasm , as there were more emergent individuals than I, with coughs and colds. I think I took more of a risk going to the ER, as I was coughed on by a senior citizen. I'm probably going to review it soon and it goes to your comment.
I have been in two different wrecks both times i hit my head. I fell down and hit my head about nine months ago. A day later i started seeing lines in my eyes then i felt as if i wasnt in my own body.
Then i got really dizzy. Then i couldnt see anything it all went black. This would last about 30 mins. Its been happening eversince i hit my head at least once a month. I have been to the doctor and they say its not my eyes. They say its migrains i dont beleive them. My whole life i never had this happen to me.
Why would i be doing this? Vanessa -- see a doctor. If you don't like what the last one said, see a different one.
I'm no doctor myself, but what you describe sounds very frightening. I know I'd be worried. It's fun to see this old thread again. Well, not fun in the sense that it's about bad things happening to the brain, but as noted earlier in the comments, engineers and medics I'm the former do have a fascination with failure modes I am reminded of the time I was skiing as a teenager and got plowed over by a reckless skier from behind.
It's the only time I've ever blacked out due to impact. I fainted once due to dehydration and anemia, and I've been under anesthesia a few times. But those aren't the same.
I remember my dad a doctor being very worried. A number of problems, but the first one was when a big construction vehicle came down on his arm, crushing it. He and his best buddy would go skiing together regularly. In the late 80s or thereabouts, they were out skiing once at Bridger Bowl, and the weather turned sour. They figured they'd finish their run and then call it a day.
It was very windy, and the exposed areas were becoming dangerously icy. With blowing snow, visibility was also limited, and my uncle's friend inadvertently strayed onto a different run than the one he'd intended. It was a black diamond, and one which he'd skied before, but never in conditions as poor as this. He had no traction whatsoever; his edges couldn't catch anything and he wiped out. The tree that he hit probably actually saved his life -- it was only a short way down the slope, and so he hadn't picked up very much speed before hitting it.
His head was fine, thank goodness, but he ruptured his pancreas and broke a lot of bones. They did manage to save the pancreas, and he eventually made a full recovery. But what a difference just a few feet can make If he'd wiped out just a few feet earlier, he wouldn't have gone down the steep, icy slope. If he'd slid a few feet to one side, he'd have hit his head. If he'd slid a few feet to the other side, he'd have gone right on down, accelerating until reaching the really bad stuff at the bottom more trees, some rocks, and big steel ski lift supports.
He probably would've died. It took three hours just to get him off the slope, and more time for the ambulance to make it all the way around the mountain range to pick him up.
I can't get the image the 2nd scan to show up either, just comes up as the dreaded red x no matter how many times I ask it to load. My boyfriend was swinging round on an a metal bar when he fell off at a height of about 8 foot, he hit the back of his head hard.
There was an immediate concussion,then his eyes were rolled back in his head, when he slowly came round his speech was slurred and he could not say what he wanted to. It was terrifying. A day later and he has continuous headaches at the opposite end of the head and says he's not thinking straight. Could this be serious? Is there anything I can do, should i use ice on the bump? Get him medical care at once. Call the emergency number , , whatever it is where you are , or take him to the emergency room or clinic yourself.
I fell on my head after being pushed by a poung dog. My head swelled right away. I applied ice to reduce the swelling. It's now a week later and my bump has gotten smaller, but it's still painful and it itches a bit. I don't have any symptoms other than the pain and bump that is still evident a week later. Should I go to the doctor? By palmd on March 18, To answer this, you need a little anatomy.
More like this. I thought they put creatures in his body Oh, wait, that was II I think it has. Haven't noticed it for a few days now.
Helmets and seatbelts always. I'm not going to be lazy about that anymore. Brain injuries can have many other symptoms besides movement problems. Speaking normally, understanding what other people are saying, memorizing things, and eating can become difficult. Sometimes, mood swings and even depression can occur. Fortunately, patients can re-learn some of these tasks with therapy. The type of therapy a patient needs will depend on the location and severity of the injury, but might include physical therapy to help with muscle weakness , occupational therapy to help adapt to challenges in fine motor skills like brushing your teeth or cutting up your food , psychological counseling to help with depression and anxiety , or appointments with a learning specialist to help with problems reading and focusing.
Now that you have a general idea of what TBI is, we will discuss how these injuries occur and, more importantly, how you can prevent one from happening. In children and teenagers, the brain and skull continue to grow and more complex brain functions develop [ 4 ]. Because of these changes, TBIs can affect children at different ages in distinct ways.
For instance, a brain injury could cause more harm to a baby than it would a teenager, by interfering with normal brain growth and development. Fortunately, however, there are ways to reduce our risk of TBI! Table 1 includes the common causes of TBI. Scientists have learned a lot about how TBI happens, by studying it in humans as well as modeling the condition in animals. While it may seem strange to give an animal like a mouse a TBI, it is a great opportunity for TBI researchers because, by using animals, variations that occur in humans, like diet, sleep cycles, and genetics, can be tightly controlled so that we know which factors contribute to TBI.
From the human and animal studies, scientists have learned that TBIs activate a number of processes in the body, such as inflammation, cellular stress, and cell death. A hit to the head can occur while playing tackle football, skateboarding, doing gymnastics, or playing softball; thankfully, most are of these head injuries are mild injuries, such as concussion [ 5 , 6 ]. But there is a good reason that parents, coaches, and other grownups always tell us to wear our helmets!
Helmets protect the head, brain, and face from injuries while we play the sports we love. A helmet works best when it is the right size, when the chin strap is buckled tightly, and when there is padding on the inside.
If a helmet is too big, not buckled, or is not cushioned, then when a player is tackled or a skateboarder wipes out, a TBI is more likely to occur [ 7 ]. While helmets typically do a great job of protecting us, TBIs can still happen even when we wear them. You should always tell an adult a parent, guardian, or coach if you hit your head, so that the adult can check you out and take you to a doctor if needed!
Researchers are trying to improve helmet design by making the outside and inside work together better to protect your head from TBI, so that you can keep participating safely in the sports and activities that you love [ 7 ]. Injuries from an MVC cannot always be avoided, but they can be minimized by practicing seat belt safety.
Seat belts keep us from being jerked around during fast turns and sudden stops. If your seatbelt is not worn properly, it is more likely that you could hit your head on objects inside the car or even get thrown from the car in the case of a collision.
Researchers have found that people who were properly wearing their seat belts during MVCs were less likely to have TBIs, and they also had lower rates of TBI complications, such as brain bleeds or memory loss [ 8 ]. This is just one of the reasons why it is always important to wear a seat belt, and to use additional restraints, such as booster seats, if needed. These safety measures apply whether you are just traveling down the street or all the way across the state.
Kids are not always big enough to fit into their seat belts properly. If you can wiggle in the seat belt, then an additional restraint, like a car seat or booster cushion, is suggested [ 9 ]. It also takes into account risk factors including concussion, headache, and psychiatric history that can impact how long it takes to recover from a TBI.
Diagnostic imaging. When necessary, medical providers will use brain scans to evaluate the extent of the primary brain injuries and determine if surgery will be needed to help repair any damage to the brain. Neuropsychological tests to gauge brain functioning are often used in conjunction with imaging in people who have suffered mild TBI.
Such tests involve performing specific cognitive tasks that help assess memory, concentration, information processing, executive functioning, reaction time, and problem solving.
A total score of indicates a severe head injury; indicates moderate injury; and is classified as mild injury. Baseline testing should begin as soon as a child begins a competitive sport. Brain function tests can be repeated at regular intervals every 1 to 2 years and also after a suspected concussion.
The results may help health care providers identify any effects from an injury and allow them to make more informed decisions about whether a person is ready to return to their normal activities. Many factors, including the size, severity, and location of the brain injury, influence how a TBI is treated and how quickly a person might recover. Although brain injury often occurs at the moment of head impact, much of the damage related to severe TBI develops from secondary injuries which happen days or weeks after the initial trauma.
For this reason, people who receive immediate medical attention at a certified trauma center tend to have the best health outcomes. Some people with mild TBI such as concussion may not require treatment other than rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Children and teens who have a sports-related concussion should stop playing immediately and return to play only after being approved by a concussion injury specialist.
Preventing future concussions is critical. While most people recover fully from a first concussion within a few weeks, the rate of recovery from a second or third concussion is generally slower. Even after symptoms resolve entirely, people should return to their daily activities gradually once they are given permission by a doctor. There is no clear timeline for a safe return to normal activities although there are guidelines such as those from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine to help determine when athletes can return to practice or competition.
Further research is needed to better understand the effects of mild TBI on the brain and to determine when it is safe to resume normal activities. People with a mild TBI should:Make an appointment for a follow-up visit with their healthcare provider to confirm the progress of their recovery.
Surgery may be needed to for emergency medical care and to treat secondary damage, including:. People with TBIs may need nutritional supplements to minimize the effects that vitamin, mineral, and other dietary deficiencies may cause over time.
Some individuals may even require tube feeding to maintain the proper balance of nutrients. After the acute care period of in-hospital treatment, people with severe TBI are often transferred to a rehabilitation center where a multidisciplinary team of health care providers help with recovery. The rehabilitation team includes neurologists, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, as well as physical, occupational, vocational, speech, and respiratory therapists.
Some therapy is provided through outpatient services. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy CRT is a strategy aimed at helping individuals regain their normal brain function through an individualized training program.
Using this strategy, people may also learn compensatory strategies for coping with persistent deficiencies involving memory, problem solving, and the thinking skills to get things done. CRT programs tend to be highly individualized and their success varies. A Institute of Medicine report concluded that cognitive rehabilitation interventions need to be developed and assessed more thoroughly. Genetics may play a role in how quickly and completely a person recovers from a TBI.
Much work remains to be done to understand how genetic factors, as well as how specific types of head injuries, affect recovery.
This research may lead to new treatment strategies and improved outcomes for people with TBI. Studies suggest that age and the number of head injuries a person has suffered over his or her lifetime are two critical factors that impact recovery.
For example, TBI-related brain swelling in children can be very different from the same condition in adults, even when the primary injuries are similar. Brain swelling in newborns, young infants, and teenagers often occurs much more quickly than it does in older individuals.
Compared with younger adults with the same TBI severity, older adults are likely to have less complete recovery. Older people also have more medical issues and are often taking multiple medications that may complicate treatment e.
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