Did you know March is Brain Injury Awareness Month?

This topic has become a close-to-home topic for me over the last year.

Brain injuries can include anything from concussions, strokes, to hitting your head after a fall and more.

Awareness of brain injuries, especially concussions, has increased over the past 10 years. We see concussion protocols occurring more in professional sports because of this awareness.

Children and older adults are more at risk for brain injuries.

According to the CDC, from 2001 to 2012, the rate of emergency department visits for sports and recreation-related injuries with a diagnosis of concussion or TBI more than doubled among children. An internal head injury is serious because it might cause bleeding or bruising of the brain. It can be hard to know how serious a head injury is, so it is always wise to call your doctor if you see any of these symptoms after an injury to the head:

— Unconsciousness for more than a few seconds: Do your best to keep the person calm and still. If they remain unconscious, do not try to move them in case there is a neck or spine injury. Call for help.

— Abnormal breathing

— Vomiting

— Headaches, specifically getting worse over time

— Problems concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.

— An obvious serious wound: Do not attempt to cleanse the wound, which can make bleeding worse and/or cause serious complications if the skull is fractured. Do not remove any object that’s stuck in the wound. 

— Bleeding or clear fluid from the nose, ears, or mouth: If there is bleeding, apply a clean or sterile bandage. Do not apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect the skull is fractured.

— Disturbance of speech or vision: Blurred vision and sensitivity to light; “seeing stars” and feeling dazed, dizzy, or lightheaded; slurred speech or saying things that don’t make sense

— Pupils of unequal size

— Weakness or paralysis

— Neck pain or stiffness

— Seizure: Turn someone who is vomiting or having a seizure onto his or her side while trying to keep the head and neck straight. This will help prevent choking and provide protection in case of neck and spine injury. If you suspect a concussion, call your doctor right away. Preventing head injuries

— Make sure children always wear their seat belts or secure them properly in a child safety seat.

— Always have kids wear the proper headgear and safety equipment when playing contact sports, biking, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing.

— Someone who has experienced a head injury should take it afterwards, especially if there is a concussion, to give the brain time to completely heal.

Contact the Clark County Extension Office for further information on brain injuries and symptoms.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.