Traumatic Brain Injury: A Silent Epidemic
Every year, an estimated two million Americans experience some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which translates to one every 15 seconds. And sadly, about 5.3 million Americans are currently living with disabilities caused by TBI.
Several years ago, I became one of those statistics when I resisted a robbery at my bookstore and was struck on the head with a metal pipe. My cracked skull felt like a jagged canyon in my head, constantly throbbing and aching. I found myself with brain fog that felt like a heavy blanket that weighed down my thoughts and memories, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Even after three months, the effects of the injury still slightly lingered, leaving me with a constant reminder of my vulnerability. I was lucky; it could have been so much worse. However, it gave me a glimpse into the daily struggles my parents faced while living with their dementia-related diseases.
During that time, I couldn't write and I even found myself forgetting why I had entered a room. During speaking events, I constantly forgot the words I wanted to say. I was amazed at how fast I would come up with a substitute word, sometimes barely missing a beat. Thankfully, most of my symptoms have since cleared up.
Yesteryear, I received a call from a woman who played professional softball for almost a decade. She inspired me to write an article for my column on this topic. Initially, I thought she was going to discuss the media attention surrounding head injuries in athletes, but it turned out she had fallen off a chair hanging up Christmas decorations at work. Hit the back of her head, suffering severe trauma. She spent two years and eleven days searching for answers before being diagnosed with TBI while experiencing debilitating symptoms such as migraines, light and sound sensitivity, and cognitive impairment.
During an interview with Dr. Gerry Fischer, a "neuropsychologist" from Florida, he explained to me the reason why TBIs are referred to as the "Silent Epidemic." According to him, the injuries often involve the myelin covering of microscopic brain cells, which are difficult to detect by regular medical scans or even EEGs. These damaged cells can disrupt the biochemical function of the brain, leading to symptoms of dementia and emotional instability. This can result in misdiagnoses of depression or bipolar disorder. Traditional neurological tests may not accurately assess this type of brain damage. instead, a specialized battery of sensitive tests should be ordered.
Fischer recommended performing the "Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery," which is more detailed and tests various sensory, motor and cognitive abilities. The test evaluates four methods of inference: levels of skilled performance, right-left comparison, pathognomonic signs, and pattern analysis.
Also, we have the military soldiers who were exposed to explosions. Years ago, you would commonly hear the expression “shell shocked.” You only had to be close enough to the explosion it would cause physical and psychological conditions, No physical scarring. The definition of this term has changed over the years; it now includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurological disorder believed to be caused by repeated head injuries. It results in the deterioration of nerve cells in the brain and worsens over time. The only way to definitively diagnose CTE at this time is through an autopsy of the brain after death.
Research is being done on how the frequency and severity of head injuries may affect one's risk of developing CTE.
This is the type of brain injury that is frequently heard about on the news. More often than not, individuals who have played contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, etc, are likely to present with these symptoms.
Symptoms of CTE are believed to include cognitive and emotional difficulties, physical problems and behavioral changes, which can develop years or even decades after the initial head trauma.
Currently, CTE cannot be conclusively diagnosed during one's lifetime unless they have had high-risk exposures. Researchers are working on developing biomarkers for diagnosing CTE, but none have been validated yet. When symptoms associated with CTE are present, healthcare professionals may diagnose it as traumatic encephalopathy syndrome.
Compared to other organs, our brains have a harder time healing from injuries. As someone who has experienced a traumatic brain injury firsthand, I urge others not to take these injuries lightly. Seek immediate medical attention. Frequently, it is the invisible damage that poses the greatest threat.
Gary Joseph LeBlanc, Director of Education
Dementia Spotlight Foundation - dementiaspotlightfoundation.org
