Articles Posted in Brain Injury

As children grow, they often show interest in extracurricular activities like a club or a sport. Participating in team sports can help children develop critical skills that may help them succeed later in life. Even when parents carefully choose a sport or a league that prioritizes safety, serious injuries can occur. Recently, a Maryland boy suffered a brain injury while practicing with his hockey team. 

The boy was attending a program designed to help new hockey players develop skills to enhance ability in a game situation. While the boy was practicing a new type of shot, he was struck in the neck with a hockey puck. Though he was wearing an appropriate helmet, the puck struck an unprotected area.

The injury resulted in a serious brain injury. Emergency medical care could not save him, and the injury proved fatal for the young hockey player. Friends, family and teammates devastated by the loss now wonder if young hockey players may benefit from new safety gear designed to protect the neck and spinal cord. 

In the past few months, daily life has changed dramatically for Maryland residents. Widespread shutdowns gave rise to the need for modern solutions, and in the case of telehealth, some of the changes are benefiting patients. Current data seems to suggest that therapy sessions for brain injury patients might be more beneficial than a conventional in-person session. 

When a person suffers a brain injury, he or she may experience a temporary or permanent loss in communication skills. Traditionally, a patient would have a therapy session one on one with a medical professional in an office setting. Telehealth therapy sessions use technology like a video chat service to engage a patient remotely. 

Therapist testimony and solid statistics suggest that, when a patient is able to receive therapy in this way, the patient is more comfortable in his or her own home, surrounded by familiar people and objects. Family members and caretakers in the home can participate more easily, and their involvement will help a patient make progress between therapy sessions. Therapists can now see how an individual patient interacts with his or her home environment, and offer tailored tips for improved communication between a patient and the people who care for the patient. 

Relationships always require some give and take. Maintaining a long-term friendship is quite the accomplishment, and it is even more difficult to sustain a romantic relationship, especially when a couple lives together. Married couples frequently have to negotiate various situations in which both parties do not agree, and for a relationship that must factor in a brain injury, compromise can be a tall order. A Maryland victim might not be aware how his or her injury can complicate personal life. 

Medical research has firmly established that a brain injury victim commonly suffers from psychological or emotional trouble. The brain is a powerful yet delicate organ, and when damage to certain portions of the brain occurs, a victim may become frustrated with the inability to think, speak, or act as he or she used to before the injury occurred. Some victims report that after such an injury, they often feel like a completely different person. 

Some people report suffering from a regressed emotional state. In the heat of an argument, they do not feel they have the ability to process their thoughts into mature statements. A victim may find him or herself blurting out phrases that sound like a young child having a tantrum, or be overly emotional. 

Medical researchers dedicate themselves to finding new ways to help people suffering from serious conditions. Even with advances in technology and diagnostic methods, a serious brain injury may still carry a lot of unknowns. The latest discovery may revolutionize the way medical professionals help patients recover. 

It has been known for some time that persons that previously suffered a traumatic brain injury may subsequently suffer from the onset of various mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. With this knowledge, researchers set out to learn the exact correlation between the conditions, and how to predict what long-term conditions an individual patient can expect to face. Maryland brain injury patients may be interested to learn about how a head injury can potentially prevent the individual from ever fully recovering. 

A new study shows that a blood test can reveal the presence of a neurofilament, referred to as a biomarker. This particular biomarker is commonly present when nerve cells are damaged or destroyed. Increased levels of this biomarker are an indication that a person might develop significant mental health conditions. 

Many individuals in Maryland and elsewhere can recognize concussions in others. However, actually defining this type of brain injury can be quite challenging. The reason for this is that a concussion is a mild form of a brain injury, and determining what makes a brain injury mild is not always simple.

As a general rule of thumb, a brain injury is a jolt, blow or bump to someone’s head that disrupts the brain’s normal function. A mild form of this injury leads to a brief alteration of the person’s consciousness or mental status. In this situation, a brief alteration refers to a change that lasts for under half an hour. In addition, the symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks, days or even hours.

If a person loses consciousness for longer than half an hour, he or she is considered to have suffered a severe or moderate brain injury. Unfortunately, this type of injury can have long-term impacts on the victim’s body. Fortunately, a severe brain injury is not as common as a mild one.

Maryland residents are enjoying a taste of spring, and the coming weeks hold much to look forward to. The Coronavirus aside, fun holidays, sporting events, and outdoor activities are a welcome change after a cold and underwhelming winter. March is also Brain Injury Awareness Month, and researchers are excited to reveal a potential breakthrough that may help victims of head injury deal with long-term symptoms. 

In addition to physical pain, many head injury victims often suffer from conditions related to mental and emotional health. Depression, sleep disorders, concentration problems and irritability are common troubles faced by many of these victims. Researchers now believe that therapy using exposure to special blue lights may help ease these symptoms. 

When exposed to blue light, patients appeared to get some relief from problems with circadian rhythms. The blue light therapy appeared to help victims be less sleepy during the daytime, and improved communication between certain areas of the brain. Experts say good sleep patterns can be key to recovery, because during sleep, the brain gets rid of neurotoxins and produces a type of cell that helps protect neurons from more permanent damage. 

Maryland is a state residents can be proud to call home, but it is not without its share of the social problems experienced across the nation. Even when the economy is relatively stable and the job market is plentiful, homelessness remains a growing concern for millions of Americans. Hard-working people often live paycheck to paycheck, and when a tragedy — like suffering a traumatic brain injury — occurs, a victim may find him- or herself unable to keep up with the cost of living. 

Statistics estimate that there are over 1 million homeless people in developed nations worldwide, and over 500,000 of them live in the United States. Researchers dedicated time to canvassing the homeless population in an attempt to better understand their plight. Now, these researchers believe they have discovered a correlation between brain injury and homelessness. 

Their painstaking research suggests that, among the homeless community, individuals are 10 times more likely to have suffered a brain injury than persons who have a roof over their heads. The social scientists need to gather more data to better understand this shocking revelation, but they now believe that symptoms that often follow a brain injury, like confusion, physical pain and blurred vision, may directly affect an individual’s ability to earn a living. If a victim cannot hold a job down, the days and weeks following a brain injury may get progressively more difficult to manage. 

Medical research and technology is always advancing, but often, people can forget how important it is to better understand conditions without obvious physical symptoms. Now, some notable deaths are drawing public awareness and helping people understand the gravity of brain trauma. The recent death of a combat veteran has the nation concerned and a Maryland family fighting for answers. 

Ryan Larkin was a Navy SEAL with several tours of combat under his belt. After some close encounters with enemy artillery, something began to feel off. Larkin would try to explain to his family and medical professionals, but nobody seemed to have answers. His family states that he became irritable, suspicious of others, and acted in ways that were otherwise out of character. Larkin’s doctors tried several different medications, and ran a battery of tests to try to figure out what was wrong. 

Larkin passed away at the age of 29, previously having made his father aware that upon his death, he wanted his brain to be donated to medical research, so that experts could try to learn more about the mysterious suffering he endured. It became clear that his brain was full of tiny tears, which researchers say do not show up on routine scans. These tears were thought to be caused by blast waves encountered during Larkin’s combat tours. It is suspected that members of the armed forces suffered similar injuries in Jan. 2020 during an attack on foreign soil, and even the president dismissed the injuries as minor, comparable to a concussion. Larkin’s family has begun a quest to find justice through new research, and make people aware of the hidden dangers of brain trauma that people may unknowingly suffer. 

Maryland residents may have been among the millions of Americans who were brought up thinking that a bump on the head is no big deal. It is not uncommon for people to decide to wait a few days after a head injury before seeking medical attention. While this type of injury may seem like no big deal, experts say a head injury victim should not wait to see a doctor. 

Common symptoms of a head injury may not seem like a serious medical situation. Dizziness, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, and even sadness and irritability may be warning signs of a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Experts say that, since these symptoms may not last very long, people may mistakenly think they are fine and not seek necessary medical treatment. 

A recent study shows that people who seek immediate medical attention for a head injury generally recover about 20 days faster than people who wait it out. Contrary to popular belief, there are treatments that can help lessen the symptoms and effects brought on by a concussion. An untreated head injury can lead to all sorts of serious medical complications, and possibly even death. 

As Maryland rings in a new year, some unfortunate residents may be suffering from last year’s injuries. Concussions are a common type of head injury, but local doctors warn victims not to overdo it during the busy holiday season. In the time immediately following such an injury, it can be difficult to determine what long-term woes a victim may face. 

Experts advise that people who have suffered a head injury should feel free to celebrate holidays with family and friends, but it is important to remain vigilant and listen to signs your body may be giving you. It is advisable to stick to a schedule that allows about eight hours of sleep per night. Large crowds and noise may exacerbate symptoms, so victims may want to avoid bustling malls and, perhaps, shop during times when crowds are minimal. 

Flashy lights and loud music may cause pain or dizziness. Headphones and sunglasses may reduce the risk of being in an environment that features such things. Sugar can also worsen damage to the brain and other organs, so use caution when indulging in sugary treats or alcoholic beverages. During the winter months, inclement weather is not uncommon. Wearing sturdy shoes with non-slip soles can help prevent a fall that might result in a bump to the head. 

Martindale-Hubbell
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
AABA
American Association of Justice
ABA
Maryland Association form Justice
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
Bar Register
Contact Information