National Brain Injury Month

March inevitably brings everyone closer to the arrival of spring and away from the dreariness of winter but our third month also hosts a widespread awareness of many disorders and conditions. Among them is National Brain Injury Month, the goal of which is to maintain awareness of brain deterioration and cases of sudden diagnosis across the nation.

In 2008, Capitol Hill hosted the “Brain Crane Project” at the Congressional Brain Injury Awareness Fair asking for patients or family members of someone who has suffered a brain injury to make a crane to display on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of colored cranes lined the exhibit increasing the participants’ awareness of these traumatic brain injuries (TBI) by sharing their personal stories with all of America. This year we look towards the future by saving children by focusing awareness on youth sports.

The theme for the Brain Injury Association of America’s (BIAA) 2009 awareness month is Sports and Concussions. The BIAA estimates that there are over 5.3 million Americans living with a disability caused by an injury to the brain and that the costs of such injuries maintained over a lifetime exceeded $60 billion according to the totals from the year 2000.

It has been said that a TBI occurs every 23 seconds and that almost 1.5 million Americans will endure one over the next year. The 2009 theme is focusing primarily on youth sports because many adolescents sustain concussions without realizing it and an untreated concussion is dangerous and can cause severe neurological damage. By bringing awareness to schools, after-school sports programs, and intramural leagues, the BIAA, as well as parents, teachers, and coaches, can only hope to prevent some of the traumatic brain injuries in children this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that each year between 1.6 and 3.8 million concussions happen as a result of recreation and sports related incidents. As concussions are the most common type of injury to the brain during activity, one can occur after a severe blow or hit to the head.

Symptoms of a concussion can vary and may not appear for hours, days or weeks after the initial contact. Some concussions can happen when a direct hit to another body part causes the impact to go right to the brain. Signs of a concussion are usually any combination of the following: headache, nausea, dizziness or a problem standing or walking, blurred or double vision, general feelings of sluggishness, sensitivity to any noise or lights, a lingering groggy feeling, confusion, and trouble remembering things or focusing on one thing.

Doctors advise parents, teachers, supervisors, and coaches to never ignore a blow to the head. If there is a visible bump, take the victim out of the game or activity immediately and watch them for the symptoms of a concussion. If symptoms are visible take the player to see a doctor right away and only return to the game with consent from a health care provider.

Remember to remind your children/students to always tell an adult if he or she hits their head because a concussion is serious. Also remember to tell your child that the main myth about concussions is that people blackout or lose consciousness, however only in rare and very extreme cases does this actually happen.

The most common activities in which children ages 5 to 18 often receive concussions are: playground structure activities, bicycling, basketball, soccer, and football.

To learn more about the local events related to brain injury awareness in your area this month, look at the BIA-chartered website for your state.

For the month of March (and every month after) stay aware of traumatic brain injuries and teach your sports fanatics, rambunctious neighborhood kids, and professional athletes-in-training about the dangers and signs of a concussion while keeping them safe.