As a special Veteran’s Day salute, we are dedicating this month’s post to the issue of veterans and concussions. To all our military men and women – both present and past—we salute you! Thank you for the sacrifices you make for our freedom.
Veterans and Concussions: When Symptoms Aren’t Obvious
It can be a normal scenario for anyone who has been involved in a head-injury accident: you seem to feel OK. immediately after the incident. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re totally out of the woods in terms of brain injuries. It is easy to resume normal activities and not pick up on delayed symptoms right away, or at all in some cases—especially for active-duty service members. And when it comes to veterans suffering from the after-effects of concussions, complications can continue for weeks, months, even years later.
The Many Ways Veterans Get Traumatic Brain Injuries
Back in January of this year, USA Today cited an initial White House report claimed that no Americans were harmed after last winter’s Iranian missile strikes against two U.S. air bases in Iraq. As it turned out later, more than 50 American service members were eventually diagnosed with brain injuries.
According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, more than 400,000 service members have incurred traumatic brain injuries (TBI) since 2000. Symptoms can be subtle and may not show up right away. And it certainly doesn’t take missile strike-level events to result in concussions. These traumatic brain injuries (TBI) unfortunately occur as a result of injuries and accidents sustained in ordinary, everyday life, including in regular sports training and other recreational events.
Concussion Symptoms in the Military Community Vary and Can Change
These military incidences serve as a reminder to all of us that concussions need to be taken seriously, even if an individual seems fine immediately after an injury or accident. Symptoms often don’t develop for several hours and can change over time. And they can vary greatly from individual to individual.
Many factors, such as age, concussion history, a history of migraines, and even ADHD can affect the severity of symptoms and recovery. It’s common not to even realize that what can be seen as simply “feeling off” is actually related to a recently sustained head injury. While many people relate concussions to symptoms like headache or memory loss, other signs to watch for include:
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Dizziness, confusion (“brain fog”), and/or balance issues
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound
- Changes in mood, behavior, memory, or concentration ability
- Nausea
- Blurred vision, tired eyes or dilated pupils
- Fatigue
The Advanced Ways We Test and Treat Concussions
MAC Alliance employs a variety of state-of-the-art tools to diagnose, evaluate, and treat concussions. While most individuals will make a full recovery, the success of the recovery can often be directly linked to the treatment and therapies received after the concussion occurs.
We stay on top of today’s latest technologies to see if the brain is functioning normally. Ideally, pre-injury computerized baseline tests can be compared to post-injury results. Using today’s latest brain-monitoring tools such as ImPACT®, BrainScope, RightEye, Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS Health), and EyeGuide, medical practitioners certified in concussion management determine best return-to-play or school/work/activity decisions. Our network of doctors and medical professionals implement clinically validated concussion assessment and recovery programs used by professional sports teams across the country.
For more information, check out Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center for veteran concussion resources, or contact a MAC Alliance practitioner in your area.
