Brain Injury Awareness Month 2024
Brain injury awareness month is observed every March to recognize the millions of adults living in the U.S. with brain injury related disability. Brain injuries can present themselves in a variety of different ways, from headaches and dizziness to nausea and vision problems. For more information on brain injury, visit TeachAids’ trusted partner, the Brain Injury Association of America’s National Brain Injury Information Center, or call at 1-800-444-6443.
The TeachAids Concussion Story Wall is a tool designed to share the voices of a variety of individuals and their caregivers, whose lives have been altered by brain injury. For this month we featured a number of our brain injury experts who have provided expertise on a variety of topics. Below is a summary of the videos you can explore.
Dr. Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Office of the NCAA:
- What is a Concussion? What are its causes?
- What is the importance of Concussion disclosure?
Watch Dr. Hainline’s full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH6FXbOEOb0
Dr. Robert Cantu, Director of Clinical Research at the Cantu Concussion Center at Emerson Hospital:
- What is Post Concussion Syndrome?
- What are Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms? How long do they last and how can they be managed?
- What is Second Impact Syndrome?
- What determines if an athlete should retire due to concussions?
Watch Dr. Cantu’s full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWQblFQ3l20
Dr. Jamie M. Bogle, Division Chair of Audiology at Mayo Clinic Arizona:
- What are Vestibular Senses and Vestibular Function?
- Which vestibular symptoms are related to concussions and how can one manage them?
- How long do these symptoms last? What should one do if symptoms persist or worsen?
Watch Dr. Bogle’s full video: https://youtu.be/e7NjJggDzh8?si=tY4ywiESAgOE-kru
Dr. Kevin Crutchfield, Co-director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health:
- What is Cervical Strain? What does cervical strain look like in different demographics?
- What are the symptoms associated with a cervical injury?
- How are cervical strain symptoms best managed?
- What should you do if your symptoms persist or worsen?
- Why is self care so important for performance?
Watch Dr. Crutchfield’s full video: https://youtu.be/Ltu3zoLG014?si=7PUgy5hUsKjsCtaH
Dr. Ruben Echemendia, Director of the National Hockey League’s Neuropsychological Testing Program:
- How is neuropsychology related to concussions?
- When should one talk with a neuropsychologist?
- What are the methods of treatment?
- What to expect when one goes to see a neuropsychologist following a concussion?
Watch Dr. Echemendia’s full video: https://youtu.be/WWik2cjePh4?si=y84qRYaExmFKhHoY
Dr. Meeta Singh, President and CEO of the Performance Sleep Practice:
- How is sleep disturbance related to concussions?
- What are some common sleep problems in a concussed individual?
- How can one improve their sleep?
- What should one do if symptoms persist or worsen?
- Why is sleep important even for a healthy individual?
Watch Dr. Singh’s full video: https://youtu.be/1lzDfI-iS-U
Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, President and Founder of the Brain Trauma Foundation:
- What are ocular motor functions?
- What concussion symptoms are associated with ocular motor functions? How can they be managed?
- How can cardio exercise aid in recovery from a brain injury?
Watch Dr. Ghajar’s full video: https://youtu.be/Peu5Lchsm70
Dr. John Leddy, Medical Director of the University at Buffalo Concussion Management Clinic:
- How is exercise related to concussion recovery?
- What are some of the best exercise methods for recovery?
- When is it recommended to return to school? What issues might one encounter?
- When does one return to play?
Watch Dr. Leddy’s full video: https://youtu.be/0EOYRWNbnvw
Dr. Maya Yutsis, Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated) in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine:
- What is cognitive function? How are they related to concussions?
- What are the best ways to manage these symptoms?
- What to do if symptoms persist or worsen?
- When can one return to school?
Watch Dr. Yutsis’ full video: https://youtu.be/hpJt6VCWZSI
Dr. Thomas McAllister, Albert Eugene Sterne Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry:
- How do anxiety and mood relate to concussions?
- How are anxiety and mood symptoms manifested in concussions?
- How are these symptoms best managed?
- What should one do if symptoms persist or worsen?
Watch Dr. McAllister’s full video: https://youtu.be/7D3XGKgD_9E
Dr. Tad Seifert, Director of Norton Healthcare’s Sports Neurology Program:
- How are headaches and migraines related to concussions?
- How can these symptoms be managed?
- What should one do if symptoms persist or worsen?
- When is it safe to return to school?
Watch Dr. Seifert’s full video: https://youtu.be/JwW_V9IHCXw
Dr. Jesse Mez, Associate Professor of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine:
- What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
- What are common CTE symptoms? What are some ways to minimize them?
- What is the difference between CTE and a concussion (mTBI)?
Watch Dr. Mez’s full video: https://youtu.be/7yR1PJGDzqs
In need of a Brain Injury expert? Contact TeachAids’ trusted partner, the Brain Injury Association of America‘s National Brain Injury Information Center, at 1-800-444-6443.