The Consequences of Multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common types of injuries suffered in the United States, accounting for approximately 3 million hospital visits every year. Even a mild TBI can have serious consequences. There’s no requirement that you lose consciousness for your injury to be considered serious, and MRI or CT scanning won’t necessarily show anything.
The risks and potential consequences of a repeat head injury, however, are dramatic. The condition commonly referred to as second impact syndrome (SIS) can put you at risk for significant disability or even death.
What Is SIS?
SIS is a condition that arises when you’ve had more than one TBI within a short period of time. TBIs can be mild (e.g., concussions), medium, or severe. SIS occurs when a second head injury takes places before the first TBI is fully healed. A healthy brain is able to self-regulate the blood volume and pressure, but when a brain is not fully healed from a TBI, that ability is lost. The result can be extensive swelling that presses the brain against the skull, cutting off the flow of blood. Without proper blood flow, the brain does not get the oxygen it needs to function. Deprivation of oxygen for any significant period of time can cause brain damage or even death.
The Increased Risk of a Second Head Injury
According to published research, a person who suffers a concussion is up to twice as likely to experience a second one. After sustaining two head injuries, a person is up to four times more likely to suffer a third concussion. After a third concussion, a person can be nearly 10 times more likely to suffer a fourth one.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer a concussion or other TBI. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
