• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
162493391

Even a Mild Concussion Is Considered a Traumatic Brain Injury

Mar 3, 2014 |
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

It’s an experience every parent has probably dealt with at one time. A child playing around takes a fall and hits his or her head on the ground or a stationary object. Unless the child is knocked out cold, most parents think it’s just one of many spills to come, and other then a few scrapes, it’s no big deal. However, that’s not always the case as there could be more damage done than what meets the eye.

Aaron Karlin, MD, is a pediatric sports medicine specialist physician and Director of the Ochsner Concussion Management Program. Dr. Karlin says people may not realize that a concussion, which is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, is a type of traumatic brain injury. Though in most cases it doesn’t lead to permanent damage, Dr. Karlin says someone with a concussion still needs prompt, proper treatment.

“When someone suffers a concussion, it disrupts the wiring of the brain and you usually won’t see it on a CT-Scan or MRI,” says Dr. Karlin. He compares the injury to that of a pulled muscle in the leg. “When you pull a muscle, you rest and allow it to heal.

The same goes for a concussion. You have to shut the brain down so it can rest and heal. This includes limiting cognitive activities that stimulate the brain, like playing video games, watching TV or long periods of reading or schoolwork.”

When it comes to sports, ensuring full healing from a concussion before returning to athletics is crucial in preventing increased risk of recurrence or delayed healing. Long term effects, or even life-threatening brain injury, known as second impact syndrome, may occur from a second concussion happening before the first one has healed.

Individuals who have suffered multiple concussions, generally three or more, may be more prone to repeat concussions and possibly increased risk for development of long-term symptoms including headaches, academic decline, emotionality and/or sleep disruption.

Dr. Karlin says the best way to protect your brain is to use common sense with activity choices and to always wear a helmet when biking, rollerblading or participating in any other activity or sport that could lead to a jolt to the head.

Tags
concussion
athletes
neurology

You may also be interested in:

play button icon
Food & Fitness
Oct 26, 2016

Symptoms of a Concussion

Dr. Aaron Karlin reviews the symptoms of concussions.
504242407 Concussion Brain
Conditions & Treatment
Sep 26, 2016

Tests for a Concussion

Fall is upon us and for many football parents, the anticipation of seeing their child excel on the field is countered by concern for their safety.
By Aaron Karlin, MD
6 10 16 Bicycling Couple
Food & Fitness
Jun 14, 2016

Concussion Risks for the Weekend Warrior

There has been a lot of interest in the media related to sports concussions. However, adult weekend warriors are also at risk.
By Jose Posas, MD

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide