The Relationship between a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and a Concussion
Although all traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are potentially serious, usually require rehabilitation or specialized rehabilitation at some level and can have far-reaching implications for an individual’s independence, differentiations are made between and among the types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The distinctions are based, in part, upon causation, whether they are open or closed head injuries, whether they result in loss of consciousness (and if so, for how long), and upon various other objective measures. Many of the distinctions amount to a categorization of relative seriousness.
An individual who is said to have sustained a “mild” traumatic brain injury (TBI) may experience all or some of the following:
- A brief loss of consciousness, usually measured in seconds, but sometimes, in minutes;
- A sense of being dazed or confused;
- Either a normal or a somewhat abnormal brain scan.
A diagnosis of a “mild” traumatic brain injury (TBI) is typically made when there has been a change in mental status. Examples are when an individual is dazed, confused or loses consciousness as a result of a motor vehicle accident, a work-related injury or due to some other kind of head injury. Often, this mild level of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is called a “concussion.”
Resulting from the concussion is that which is often called “post-concussion syndrome” that may last for weeks of months after the mild traumatic brain injury. Not all individuals who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury experience post-concussion syndrome; it is more frequently seen in individuals who have had prior brain trauma.
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome may include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems
- Psychological problems including depression, anxiety and irritability
- Cognitive problems such as memory, concentration and thinking[1].
It is critical not to minimize the significance of a concussion. It is a brain injury in every sense of the term, despite sometimes being placed on the lower level of the seriousness spectrum. It results from a jar or a blow to the head which is the encasement of the brain. Therefore, by definition, it is brain injury and must be treated as such. Acute care should be sought immediately. Thereafter, depending upon the seriousness of the concussion, residual symptoms and the results of objective testing, post-acute care may be needed. For example, if the concussion causes psychological or cognitive problems, the elements of a Client Goal Plan of post-acute care may include:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Rehabilitation of cognitive deficits
- Neurologic rehabilitation
- Short-term care
- Residential services
Upon becoming a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida an individual undergoes a functional evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals which may include:
- Board Certified Neurologist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Board Certified Physiatrist
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychologist
- Board Certified Psychiatrist
- Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Nurses
- Certified Rehab Counselor
The multidisciplinary team assembled for the Client’s post-acute rehabilitation is uniquely equipped to help the Client with post-acute rehabilitation from a mild traumatic brain injury. The goal, always, is to assist the Client in attaining that degree of independence that his or her physical and mental abilities allow.
Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.
NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
[1] http://www.webmd.com/brain/post-concussion-syndrome
