The difference between TBIs and concussions

If you’re into sports like basketball, baseball, and football—whether as an athlete or as an enthusiast or follower—you’re probably familiar with the word “concussion,” as it’s often linked to players missing action after, say, a bad fall. They go into what is called a concussion protocol.

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs, on the other hand, are terms associated with a huge injury mechanism such as a car mishap, a gunshot, or wounds sustained from combat. Also, TBIs are encompassing; the important thing to remember here is that all concussions are TBIs, but not all TBIs are concussions.

To better understand this, it is vital to go back to the term “trauma,” which is a medical term referring to damage in the body due to force, which can be in the form of a hit, a crush, or a cut. For example, a laceration is as much trauma as a sprain or fracture. When the trauma occurs on or in the head, then it can be both a concussion and TBI.

Concussions are a form of closed brain injury and are considered mild as they don’t pose an immediate danger of death. However, they are hard to diagnose and must be duly monitored as they can lead to long-term consequences. Repeated hits to the head, as in boxing or football, can in time cause depression and other psychological dysfunctions.

Concussion specialists need not wait for loss of consciousness or amnesia to put affected individuals under concussion protocols. All in all, while an open traumatic brain injury is indeed devastating, closed ones are seen by specialists as equally dangerous.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in neuroengineering programs aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders connected to head injury, depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and learning disorders. More information on Dr. Cripe’s current projects here.

How To Deal With People With PTSD

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Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD may be caused by a multitude of events. The disorder may cause someone to feel overwhelming emotions of terror or grief. PTSD has been known to alter the behavior of people dramatically, so much so, that it would be glaringly obvious to those who knew them before the occurrence of the traumatic events.

People who deal with PTSD victims know only too well the need for understanding and action. Doctors, nurses, counselors, friends, and family members know the struggle in helping a person suffering from the disorder. It can be disappointing and frustrating at times, but they do know that PTSD patients are never lost causes.

While PTSD patients exhibit erratic behavior (at the very least), and they are in a state of continuous alert, they are not helpless souls. There have been cases wherein patients have been pulled out from the jaws of crippling paranoia and have learned to stand on their own feet.

However, recovering PTSD patients still need companionship and counseling since it is still impossible to erase memories from one’s mind. To family and friends, they may seem distant, but that does not mean they do not need people around them.

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One of the most important things people have to remember when dealing with PTSD patients is to respect their space and give them some time to be comfortable. In time, they will open up and talk about their experiences. Until then, people are recommended to help PTSD patients go about their daily routines as any normal person would.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D. heads research and development at the NTL Group, which uses neuroengineering technology that repairs brain dysfunction to treat a myriad of diseases and disorders. Learn more about neurological issues here.

Beyond Medicine: Building An Autism-Friendly Society

People with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, exhibit a common trait. They have difficulty in social interaction, specifically with communication, due to their behavior. Children with ASD are guided by parents, therapists, and teachers in learning life skills. However, social skills are a different matter altogether. And this gets more serious as the child grows to be an adult.

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Adults with ASD may show affection or even the desire to communicate with people around them, but in an unconventional manner. Sometimes, when they try to reach out and their efforts are not reciprocated, they could get frustrated and subsequently have a meltdown. This may be a normal occurrence in his household, where the people around them know how to deal with such an incident, but out in the world, the situation is an entirely different matter.

In building an autism-friendly society, the first step as with all undertakings of this nature, is education. From advertisements to free workshops and seminars, community members have to work together to teach people about ASD and how people with the disorder should be approached.

Identification cards are also a big help. Many children with ASD have ID cards on their person, whether pinned to their clothing or attached to their necklace, saying that they’re a person with disability (PWD).

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Local governments should work hand-in-hand with non-profit organizations in creating facilities in which people with ASD can be taken care of during their free time or when their guardians are at work. These and many more programs are steps in creating a society that helps those with ASD lead normal lives as possible.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., founded the Crossroads Institute to help individuals suffering from brain-based dysfunctions. Learn more about Dr. Cripe and his work by subscribing to this Twitter page.

Common Causes Of Forgetfulness

Most people associate forgetfulness or memory loss with the stereotype of age and the associated onset of dementia or the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. But there’s more to forgetfulness than growing old. And the happy news is that often the causes of memory loss are treatable.

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One is the use of medications. Certain blood pressure pills, painkillers, and antidepressants can cause forgetfulness because they keep one sedated or to control mood swings. The best advice here is to talk to your doctor if you feel that a particular drug is causing you to forget things so that you can be prescribed an alternative.

The second most common cause is general lack of sleep, which can be a consequence of anxiety. These go hand-n-hand in leading to poor memory. The brain ceases to function properly when one is sleepless, leading to poor decision-making and an inability to focus and recall. In the same vein, too much worrying will lead to blocking the formation of new memories.

Drinking alcohol is also a prime reason for forgetfulness, particularly short-term memory loss. Those who drink too much will have moments when they “blacked out” and can’t remember how they even got home. Sometimes alcohol can interfere with the ability to recall even when the effects have worn off.

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Finally, the serious disorder that is depression may cause people to forget. If you are having trouble with finding pleasure in things you’d normally enjoy, or feeling less sociable and having not much drive, you’d feel detached and unable to focus on new experiences and thoughts. Seek immediate help from a psychologist if the symptoms are present.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the director of research and development for the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. More insights on neurology here .

Examining The Expanding Role Of Mindfulness In Mental Health Care

Several medical organizations across the country are aware of the mental health benefits of mindfulness and have incorporated mindfulness-based stress reduction in the programs. Based on traditional Buddhist meditative teachings and codified in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the mindfulness-based stress reduction has been adapted to workbook format. Over the years, it has helped hundreds of patients with chronic illnesses manage pain and stress.

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Classed as a complementary treatment, mindfulness involves increasing self-awareness and insight into one’s patterns of thinking and behaving. By becoming aware of these habitual patterns, mindfulness lets people find the roots of their stress and pay better attention toward their reactions to similar events, which, over time, works toward greater personal balance and peace. Mindfulness focuses on the here and now, putting aside judgmental thoughts, memory triggers, and worries about the future in favor of sensations and messages focused on the present. 

And mindfulness works. Mindfulness training has been found to greatly empower adults living with chronic illnesses. By helping them manage their stressors, patients often gain a more active role in living. Many patients report a significantly improved quality of life after undergoing mindfulness training, as well as reduced fatigue and depression, both immediately after the course and after a six-month follow-up. 

The American Psychological Association has also cited studies that supported mindfulness training’s mental health benefits that go well beyond effective stress management. These include improving focus, boosting working memory and cognitive flexibility, and reducing emotional reactivity.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe developed neuroengineering solutions to help restore and enhance impaired cognitive functions. Visit this website for more on his company and its work.

A Healthy Mind: Food The Brain Deserves

There are certain types of food out there that can help brain function. Here are some of the best ones.

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Dark chocolate

A lot of health enthusiasts have raved about the benefits of dark chocolate. It is abundant in fiber, iron, and magnesium. It also has an ample amount of flavonols that are great for blood vessels. Healthy blood vessels mean better blood flow. Better blood flow translates to more oxygen to the brain and healthy cognitive function and memory. The stimulants in dark chocolate also stimulate brain function.

Spinach

Not just empowering for sailors, spinach is great for the brain. The nitrates found in this vegetable can increase blood flow to the brain and improve overall brain performance. Also, spinach has been found to delay the onset of mental illnesses such as dementia, as well as the growth of cancer cells and tumors.

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Walnuts

Walnuts are great for people who are trying to lose weight. But they’re also amazing in keeping the brain young, so to speak. The vitamin E and omega three fatty acids found in Walnuts can slow down the cognitive aging process. For those with digestive problems, simply soak them in water for six to eight hours.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., heads the research and development at the NTL Group, which uses neuroengineering to treat addiction, head injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and neurodevelopmental delays in children with learning disorders. For similar discussions and updates, follow this Twitter page.