Concussions are also known as mild traumatic brain injuries and can cause very serious short and long-term health problems.
June 16, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An unofficial estimate puts the annual number of Canadians who suffer a concussion at 55,000.
A concussion, or mild
traumatic brain injury, is brain damage resulting from a blow to the head, which can have both short and long-term effects on memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and vision.
Concussions have been linked to increased chances of developing Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia and even premature death.
Diagnosing a concussion does not come without its difficulties. According to a 2005 survey published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, 88 per cent of concussions go unrecognised.
The lack of visible symptoms associated with other forms of head injury can lead doctors to miss the concussion. CT and MRI scans can also fail to detect small areas of damage.
Accurate diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that a concussion has symptoms in common with other psychological problems, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dr. Linda Papa, who is currently working on the U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded research project at American trauma centres, has developed a potentially revolutionary blood test to determine the severity of the damage caused by a head injury - within one hour of sustaining it.
The study reveals that the brain releases proteins after a head injury, which leaves detectable traces in the blood. These protein levels are elevated in people who are in urgent need of neurosurgery.
Papa believes the blood test will be available in emergency rooms within five years, which signals welcome news for people who suffer short or long-term effects of a concussion.
A concussion can be life-changing and can happen to anyone, at any time. If you have suffered a concussion, and it is someone else's fault, contact a brain injury lawyer to find out what you may be entitled to claim.
Article provided by Caprara Brown LLP
Visit us at
www.cblaw.ca
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