Dr. Curtis Cripe On Brain Injury And Rehabilitation

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Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that sudden damages to the brain caused by various occurrences such as strokes and accidents are referred to as traumatic brain injury. A closed head injury is when an object hits the head but fails to break the skull. Meanwhile, a penetrating head injury breaks through the skull and impales the brain.

According to Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., some symptoms that might occur following a traumatic brain injury include dizziness, headache, convulsions, confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, memory problems, personality changes, and poor concentration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that falls are the primary cause of TBI, especially for adults over 65 and children. Accidental blunt force trauma, violent assaults, and motor vehicle accidents are other common causes of TBI.

People who suffer from TBI must undergo rehabilitation. Recovery and rehabilitation can take various forms, depending on a person's needs. For example, speech, physical, and occupational therapy might be needed to recover from the injury. In some cases, social support and psychiatric care are required. Rehabilitation helps treat physical and mental issues as a result of TBI, mentions Curtis Cripe, Ph.D. It assists individuals in adapting to changes that happen throughout recovery. In addition, it offers emotional and social support.

Rehab assists in preventing TBI complications, including muscle weakness and spasms; bladder and bowel problems; bedsores; blood clots; reproductive and sexual issues; and pneumonia. Rehabilitation following an injury is unlikely to cause further issues. However, there is a risk that treatment areas might cause new injuries or worsen existing problems.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that before rehab, a patient would need to receive care that includes emergency treatment for all injuries, surgery to repair skull injuries, and intensive care treatment. Patients may opt for different rehabilitation settings such as independent living centers, comprehensive day programs, home-based rehab, and outpatient or inpatient rehab hospital.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., is the author of two peer-reviewed papers and the author of two book chapters on behavioral science. He is the director of research and development at NTL Group, creating several neuroengineering diagnostic and treatment programs for various neurological dysfunctions. Read more from Dr. Cripe here.

Brain development review: What are cognitive functions?

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Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group describes cognitive function as our ability to process our thoughts. It is also widely defined as our ability to execute a number of mental activities that can be associated with both learning and problem-solving. Some examples of cognitive functioning include psychomotor, spatial, processing-speed, and verbal abilities.

Learning new skills

Cognition encompasses the ability to talk, remember, and learn new things. In addition, the human brain can typically learn new skills in all these areas, especially during early childhood. As people grow, they develop even more ideas, such as beliefs about the world around them.

When people grow old, diseases may affect cognitive functions. Effects may include loss of memory and hindrances to writing or talking. Research has found that multiple sclerosis, or MS, can also lead to issues with cognitive functions.

The average person is born with quite a capacity for cognitive function, which means that most humans are born with the ability to learn and remember. Some tests, however, measure the human ability to remember, be aware, solve problems, and analyze, among other things.

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How the brain functions

Dr. Curtis Cripe also notes that science, specifically cognitive science, has theorized how the human brain functions. These theories have become staples for researchers studying the human brain.

Over the years, a pressing question has been raised whether cognitive functions such as the ability to communicate through language and the ability to process what one sees are abilities that are dependent on each other. Studies have shown that the answer lies somewhere in the middle. There is a degree of dependence and interdependence when it comes to how the brain organizes everything.

Learn more about head of research and development at the NTL Group Dr. Curtis Cripe’s work and his insights on neuroscience by clicking on this link.

The Human Brain: The Most Complex Computer Ever Created

The human brain has been called the most advanced computer ever developed. As the most complex organ, the brain is responsible for thoughts, emotions, and actions. It controls everything we do and is constantly active, even when we are asleep.

As Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group explains, the brain comprises different parts that all work together to keep us alive and aware. The cerebrum, which is the largest section, is responsible for our conscious thoughts and actions. The cerebellum controls our movement, balance, and coordination. Meanwhile, the brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls our involuntary functions like breathing and heart rate. Finally, the hypothalamus regulates our body temperature, hunger, thirst, and emotions.

Each part of the brain has a specific job, but they all work together to help us think, feel, and move.

There are at least 100 billion neurons in the human brain, and each one is connected to thousands of others. These connections allow us to think, learn, and remember. Mentally-engaging activities can help form new connections and change or improve how we function.

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While the human brain is amazing, Dr. Curtis Cripe notes that it is also vulnerable. Injuries, stroke, tumors, and infections can all cause problems. In addition, as we get older, our brains can start to deteriorate, which can lead to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

There are, however, measures we can take to keep the brain healthy and functioning at its best. Eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are some activities that can help maintain a healthy brain. In addition, by challenging your brain with activities like learning new skills or solving complex puzzles, you can help keep it sharp as you age.

As Dr. Curtis Cripe notes, if you take care of your brain, it will take care of you.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He and his team use neuroengineering technology to treat several health issues, including head injury (TBI), depression, addiction, memory disorders, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental delays in children with learning disorders. Read more of his insights here.

EMDR: A first-line treatment for psychological trauma

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Back in 1987, a nontraditional type of psychotherapy was initially developed. Called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, it was advanced by psychologist Francine Shapiro after she noticed one day while walking through the woods that her negative emotions decreased as her eyes darted from side to side. She then discovered it had the same effect on her patients.

As Dr. Curtis Cripe notes, several theories have been proposed for EMDR. For example, the theory of neural cognition (TnC) suggests that EMDR can mediate new learning through repeated bilateral alternating stimulations -- typically eye movements -- that alter the neural traces of traumatic memory. In turn, a new stable memory network is recreated, and the negative emotions associated with the trauma memories are reduced.

EMDR has been determined to be an effective treatment for PTSD and anxiety. It differs from other therapy techniques focused on directly altering the thoughts, emotions, and responses from traumatic experiences. Instead, Dr. Curtis Cripe notes that EMDR focuses on memory processing and reconsolidation. Through this therapy, new learnings occur because the emotional load that causes the traumatic emotional pain is discharged.

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The American Psychiatric Association has found that EMDR effectively deals with acute and chronic PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have worked together to issue clinical practice guidelines for the use of EMDR in treating military and non-military individuals affected by PTSD.

Dr. Curtis Cripe leads the research and development team of NTL Group, a company that specializes in creating neuroengineering programs to diagnose and treat various neurological dysfunctions. NTL Group also helps clinicians through its NeuroCoach® EMDR Module that can increase the effectiveness of their EMDR therapy sessions. Learn more by clicking this link.

A look into the causes and treatment of tension headache

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The common headache has a name, and it is called tension headache. It is typically described as mild to moderate pain behind the eyes, head, and neck and is often compared to a tight headband. Dr. Curtis Cripe explains more in this article about its possible causes, symptoms, and treatment.

A major factor that often comes out as a likely cause of tension headaches is muscle contractions in the head and neck regions. Other possible causes can either be stress or hectic activities. Even staring at a computer screen for a long time or driving for an extended period can cause tension headache, points out Dr. Curtis Cripe.

The symptoms are usually dull, aching pain. There is pressure around the head, like a tight band, and marked tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles. Moreover, Dr. Curtis Cripe reveals that tension headache has two categories. First is "episodic tension headache," which occurs for less than 15 days a month for three months. The second is "chronic tension headache," which occurs for 15 or more days in a month for three months.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe suggests the following in treating tension headache: sleep and wake at the same time each day, exercise for 30 minutes daily, skip no meals, especially breakfast, rest in a quiet and, if possible, dark room, manage stress with relaxation exercises, and drink medicines as per the doctor's advice. Lastly, avoid things that may trigger tension headache, like certain foods, alcohol, lack of sleep, and so much more.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., is the director of research and development at the NTL Group, which uses neuroengineering technology that repairs brain dysfunction to treat addiction, head injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and neurodevelopmental delays in children with learning disorders. For more updates, visit this blog.

How the experts diagnose and treat a head injury

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As the head of R & D at the NTL Group, Dr. Curtis Cripe is familiar with all sorts of research on head injury, especially related to neurological disorders. This blog explains how the experts diagnose and treat head injuries.

Head injury is viewed as a very broad circumstance. There are many considerations when determining the extent of damage to the brain that a head injury can cause. It can depend on the point of impact, the intensity of the trauma, or even the victim's underlying conditions at the time of the trauma.

The head is such a critical part of the body that whenever medical professionals deal with head trauma, they silently assume the worst, in the interest of not taking anything for granted. External bleeding and damage, unconsciousness, and irregular behavior changes are enough to qualify any case as serious.

A victim needs to be transported immediately to a medical facility that can deal with the head trauma and examination and other testing methods performed as soon as possible. Today's best technologies come in the form of imaging, which allows the experts to identify any internal damage if there is any.

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With imaging, the doctors can make a better determination as to the degree of damage the patient has. This is then followed by blood tests to check for the presence of chemical markers that may point to other conditions, along with further brain evaluation. This is how medical experts leave nothing to chance.

When the patient is done with sufficient testing, this is the only time that the doctors can come up with a full diagnosis and a recommendation for treatment.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., has built on a specialization that covers a number of disciplines, which include bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, behavioral medicine, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. He is the director of research and development at the NTL Group. Click page for more updates.

Preserving mental health amid a lockdown

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In Dr. Curtis Cripe's mind, there is very little doubt that the past eight months have been the most difficult period in modern times. On top of the pandemic, there have been protests, economic instability, and countless adjustments that people have had to deal with, such as living through lockdown. And this hasn't only been true in the U.S.; people all over the world have had to live through similar conditions.

As a public service, Dr. Curtis Cripe shares some ways people can preserve their mental health through these trying times.

Unplug once in a while.

Perhaps, the lion's share of anxiety and stress for many people can be found online or in the news. The endless headlines and videos of people everywhere having to deal with suffering and grief can take its toll, especially on people who already have mental health issues to begin with. Unplugging once in a while from the internet is a good idea, Dr. Curtis Cripe notes.

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Discuss fun stuff.

Dr. Curtis Cripe suggests that instead of obsessing over the news on COVID-19 or any social unrest, people can talk with their family anything that do not elicit stress, such as sports or pop culture. Doing this promotes levity and lowers down levels of anxiety and stress, or any other feelings that can worsen mental health.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs that diagnose and treat various neurological disorders. Visit this blog for similar reads.