© Photo: Susan Freundlich
The Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemic
Did you know? Female athletes sustain concussions at higher rates than male athletes.
3.8M
Concussions
in the US each year produced by sports and recreational injuries, according to the CDC.
70M
People
somewhere in the world will experience a TBI each year. Most of these are concussions or mild brain injuries.
38%
Increase
in concussion diagnoses in US emergency rooms from 2007 to 2011. One third were sports related.
One evening, when Seth was biking home, a collision threw him off his bike and into the windshield of an oncoming car. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet. But the windshield shattered, and blood gushed from his eyebrow. He wanted to continue on his way, but bystanders suggested otherwise.
An ambulance took him to a familiar place, the very medical center where he was in his second year of medical school. They scanned him for injuries, stitched up his face and shoulder, and sent him home.
The next day, he felt worse. For weeks and months, he had headaches, dizziness, episodes of blurry vision, sensitivity to light and sounds, and other difficulties.
© Photo: Susan Freundlich
Reviews of Shaken Brain
A fascinating page turner. Propelled by Dr. Sandel’s exceptional storytelling and clinical expertise, Shaken Brain sheds light on the myths and misunderstandings surrounding concussions, and their consequential impact on so many lives.
Marilyn Spivack, cofounder and past President, Brain Injury Association of America
“A thoroughly engaging and enlightening account, this book explores the often perplexing issues and controversies surrounding post-concussion symptoms. A vital read.”
Mel Glenn, MD, Chief, Brain Injury Division, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
“A valuable resource for patients who have experienced concussion and their families, as well as for the physicians, therapists, and scientists who have made it their life’s work to help them.”
John Leddy, Professor, Medical Director, Concussion Management Clinic, SUNY Buffalo
Latest Insights
Dr. Sandel maintains an active network with other leading brain injury experts. In this blog, she shares ground-breaking insights and fresh perspectives to help you navigate this complex condition and learn about common concussion symptoms.
Viruses Cause Brain Injuries: Prevention is the Best Strategy
Most of us don’t think about the risks of viruses attacking the brain because it’s typical for other systems in the body, like the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems or the skin, to be attacked by viruses. But many viruses attack the brain, too, causing severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Anti-viral treatments may be unavailable or ineffective. Preventive measures (especially vaccination, if available) are the best strategies. Our public health systems, and therefore our entire US population, are now threatened by government misinformation and vaccine policy changes, so there is a resurgence of these diseases.
Trust the Experts
Choosing not to vaccinate invites the return of devastating diseases we once thought were consigned to history. Professional medical organizations are here to help, and through individual and collective efforts, we can work to regain the public’s trust in vaccinations. Dr. Sandel’s letter on this topic was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Sudden Insights and the Brain: The Aha Moment
The term insight can refer to a variety of human cognitive processes. An insight could derive from logical formations of ideas through analytic reasoning. Another kind of insight, the sudden creative idea, or the unexpected solution to a problem, is referred to as an “aha moment,” or an “aha experience.” Researchers are studying what brain activity underlies insight, and specifically the aha moment, through advanced technologies. This blog provides some possible ways to promote insight and the aha moment in our daily lives and work.
Achieve better health outcomes for patients with brain injuries
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