Can a blow to the head actually lead to brain cell loss? The fact that brain cells can be lost due to head injuries is often overlooked by many when the injury is not severe. A traumatic head injury, such as a major concussion, can lead to the disconnection of some brain cells, which in turn causes cell death. Similar to how the affects of an injury can vary the seriousness of a concussion also varies. The brain basically floats inside the skull while immersed in spinal fluid. Although the skull is able to protect the brain from external trauma, it cannot absorb the impact of the force. The brain could hit the inner wall of the skull following a blow to the head, leading to bruising in the brain.
A minor concussion, or a weaker blow to the head, can leave a person vulnerable for more serious injury. Athletes who play contact sports are often prone to concussions. The dangers of a minor concussion come from the athlete continuing play with an injury that has not fully healed. The chances of the injury becoming critical are increased enough that another blow can cause rapid swelling of the brain and death.
A hit to the head can cause microscopic damage that is not visible on a CT scan, but still contains some bruising and bleeding. Many neurologists have been concerned that repeated injuries may cause problems later in life. While the injuries may appear to have healed, there can be a loss of brain cells. The loss of some brain cells may lead to additional harm to other brain cells. When it comes to the head, a person can never be too careful. There is a reason why doctors stress that athletes take time off when a head injury is involved.
References:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190628.htm
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E5DC123EF932A35756C0A96E958260 http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/concussion.asp
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3 comments:
Very interesting! It appears that repeated minor head injuries could be just as harmful to the brain as one major head injury.
Awesome memo. I had a concussion last winter and the doctors had me be really careful about having a repeat head injury. They actually didn't want me to continue playing sports until next fall (i couldn't wait that long though).
Another brain myth to be answered from this: the death of brain cells, do more take their place.
Also, thanks for warning me to watch my head, since I sustained an injury to it in the 8th grade.
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