The journal Brain is reporting that brain injury is a progressive condition that worsens over time. This is a significant finding for victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior to this study, it was felt that brain injuries worsen with time based on anecdotal evidence, but no study existed that allowed physicians to opine that an individual's cognitive disability [...]
Stroke can occur in patients experiencing atrial fibrillation (A Fib). Due to the irregular beating of the heart caused by A Fib, blood clots can build up in the heart. These clots are at risk of being ejected from the heart and traveling to the brain where they cause stroke. Strokes can have devastating consequences for its [...]
A recent study published in Brain reports that repetitive mild traumatic brain injury can have major long-term consequences. The study looked at athletes and military personnel who had sustained repeated hits to the head over time. 80% were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive condition whose symptoms can include memory loss, depression and dementia. There is no [...]
The Ohio Senate passed legislation on Tuesday designed to protect children who sustain a concussion during a sporting event. The legislation was proposed by Akron's Childrens Hospital and other medical groups in response to increasing awareness about the potentially serious long-term effects of concussions and post-concussion syndrome. The legislation contains an eduction component aimed at [...]
(...following is a continued discussion about proving damages in brain injury and stroke cases...) Once a brain injury is suspected, it is important to gather information from the client, the client's family, accident-related records (like an incident report or police report), and the client's medical records. These sources offer important clues about the severity of [...]
Proving damages in brain injury and stroke cases is very challenging because the injury is often "hidden." Unlike a wrongful death claim or a case involving obvious physical injuries, brain damage from trauma or stroke can result in purely cognitive changes that are difficult to show, especially when the damage cannot be reproduced on MRI, [...]
The American Heart Association announced that Monday, October 29th is World Stroke Day, "a day dedicated to educating communities around the world about the risks, signs and symptoms of stroke." Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is also a leading cause of long-term disability and a major contributor to healthcare [...]
A recent study in Neurology shows that stroke rates are increasing among younger patients. This is concerning, not just a trend in public health, but also in terms of a risk for substandard medical care and medical malpractice claims. When diseases and medical conditions that are typically seen in older patients begin affecting younger patients, [...]
Atrial fibrillation (or, "A Fib") is a common disorder of the heart. The incidence of A Fib increases with age. As the population ages, one projection estimates that almost 6 million people will have A Fib by 2050. One of the predominant risks of A Fib is stroke. The errant, inefficient beating of the heart associated with A Fib [...]
In my past blogs, I identified some key resources for families who are coping with brain injury. Add The Sarah Jane Brain Project to the list: http://www.thebrainproject.org/#tab-1. This foundation was started by a physician whose daughter sustained traumatic brain injury. The founding physician recognizes that no matter the cause, whether a stroke, a car crash, birth injury or an assault, [...]