Alzheimer’s Connection – Concussion vs. Head Injury

I have had only a couple fender-benders in my driving history. Each passed with little notice or repercussion in my life. I’m not unusual. Fortunately, few of us have experienced dreadful injuries or major auto accidents in our past.  Therefore, the thought of head injury is generally on the back-burner. And most often when “concussion” comes up in conversation it’s about helmets or young grandkids in sports (as with dirt-bike riding or football). A greater understanding might expand those conversations to other ages.

First, let’s clarify the nomenclature. Have you ever heard it said (even by a doctor) “You can’t have a concussion if you didn’t hit your head?” That isn’t exactly accurate. The “head” and the “brain” are separate (which is important to remember when reading a couple paragraphs further).

The brain is nestled in the cranium (otherwise known as our ‘hard heads’) and luckily for us it’s prudently protected in a kind of floating bath of CSF or cerebrospinal fluid. That protective buffer emphasizes that the two structures are separate. The brain and head comprise different mass and density. Because of that, they move differently and independently, especially in an acceleration-deceleration type trauma.

Impact to the head is one type of accident, and if severe enough you may display abrasions, contusions, lacerations, even edema. But the brain can be injured differently – namely by bouncing inside the skull, sometimes even ricocheting numerous times against the inner wall of the cranium.

An injury with excessive force to the brain (despite absence of noticeable external head wounds) is common in auto accidents and may be diagnosed as a concussion. Surprisingly, the type of collision can explain the outcome due to the movement of the brain. For instance, rear-end impacts can cause visual disturbances or even personality changes due to frontal lope and occipital lobe colliding. Similarly, memory and speech centers can show instabilities with side impact accidents. Such brain injuries often result from less force than is imagined.

What does Head Injury have to do with Alzheimer & Aging?

So……..what’s the Alzheimer’s connection? Or did you think I forgot? Two answers are hits and falls. This is another good news / bad news situation. At this point in research, it seems that mild head-trauma doesn’t increase our risk of Alzheimer’s. The bad news is that moderate-to-severe brain injuries (especially if there is loss of consciousness) increase our risk of Alzheimer’s by 2.3 – 4.5 times. [This was determined by amyloid plaquing of 448 patients with mild memory loss and a brain injury that knocked them out. Journal of Neurology Jan 2014; study funded in part by US National Institute of Health.]

We can’t change the effects from bygone times or our past history of (physical) damages, at least not totally. Still, as we find ourselves today, we can personally address two major sources of such detrimental injuries: auto accidents and falls.

Taking Precautions Now

Prevention is the key at this point. Both auto accidents and falls increase with aging, so all of us need to think preemptively.
These supplements are far more effective and give you longer lasting results as compared to several female enhancement lotions and gels. discount viagra australia Neogra Oral tadalafil shop Jelly is also available in many flavors like mint, chocolate, banana, orange, mango, strawberry, pineapple and vanilla. Available Without A Prescription There are certain properties that are special and this is evident from the doctors writing this drug to their patients suffering from viagra pfizer depression. Thanks to the development of medical science that has made ED free viagra in canada treatable with an injection only.

Driving.
1) Minimize the risk of auto accidents by using the hackneyed, but helpful, advice of “driving defensively.” (That is goal one).

2) Before you want to admit it’s time, consider giving up your keys if you suspect any decline in reaction time. Making our plans early enough to protect our independence will make the change easier when it comes.

3) Acquaint yourself and learn how to use mass transit now (where it’s available), while you are still able to take on new tasks. [Remember that in areas without subways or bus systems, usually there are senior services available.] Maintaining our ability to travel “independently” also helps us maintain our pizzazz.

Falls. See my post entitled Are Slips and Falls Inevitable as we Age? Here’s a hint. The answer was ‘maybe yes, maybe no.’ Still, you can have an impact on your situation with 3 simple movements (see the section called “My Takeaways”). There can be numerous reasons for falls, but these preventative movements increase confidence, range-of-motion and strength, all which contribute to avoiding falls. Might be worth the quick review of that post.

 FINAL THOUGHT

I know it may feel like everything around us has been linked to the causation or ‘curing’ of Alzheimer’s. Some are questionable for sure. However, I believe certain types of head injuries have a strong link, and it’s also something I can work on avoiding in my own life. It’s a thought to keep in mind as we haphazardly move from one place to another, either by wheels or on foot. In bathrooms or driveways. On summer lawns or icy winter roads. Sure-footedness and an eye on our driving can evidently have an added benefit not usually considered – reducing the risk or severity of Alzheimer’s disease.

—

Picture credit: Skull with electrical activity – Image by kalhh from Pixabay