Scripps Health - All News for Neurosciences

Identifying Sports Injuries That Can Cause Brain Damage

2011-12-15T14:59:42-08:00

In a High School lacrosse game, Tommy Mallon took a helmet-to-helmet hit that left him with a severe concussion and a neck broken in three places. Scripps is working with local schools – and patients like Tommy – to help young athletes through Impact Testing, which assesses potential neurological damage.

Learn more about how Scripps is transforming medicine.

Symptoms and Consequences of Sports-Related Concussions

2011-06-10T14:01:00-07:00

Anyone who doubts that baseball is a contact sport will likely reconsider after watching Padres catcher Nick Hundley in action.

“The risk of injuries in baseball is a fact of life, especially behind home plate with all the foul tips and backswings we get,” Hundley says. “And injuries to the head are as serious as they come.”

Padres trainers and team physicians from Scripps Clinic are experts in diagnosing and treating concussion. But with an estimated 300,000 sports-related concussions occurring annually in America – across all sports, ages and competition levels – greater awareness is needed.

“Athletes sometimes dismiss a head injury as simply getting their bell rung and will keep competing,” says Scripps neurologist Dr. Michael Lobatz. “But with head injuries, playing through the pain is a dangerous idea. All athletes with concussion symptoms should be evaluated immediately by a trainer or physician, and shouldn’t resume play until cleared.”

So what exactly is a concussion? It’s an injury resulting from a bump, jolt or blow to the head that temporarily changes the way the brain normally works. It can also be caused by a fall or blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.

Some of the immediate symptoms of concussions may include headache, slurred speech, irritability and persistent nausea or vomiting, along with difficulty thinking clearly or remembering new information.

With rest, most concussions resolve on their own within a few days or weeks. Activities that involve a lot of concentration or physical exertion may cause a patient’s concussion symptoms to recur or worsen. Such activities should be carefully managed during the healing process.

Sometimes a second concussion may occur before the first one has fully healed. These “second impact” concussions can cause additional trauma to the brain, including brain swelling and widespread damage. They carry a higher risk of long-term cognitive dysfunction and may even be fatal.

The consequences of repetitive concussions may include memory and motor dysfunction and Parkinson’s-like movement disorders, such as balance disturbances, tremors, rigidity and slowed movement.

Scripps has developed a free public education program to raise awareness of the signs, symptoms and consequences of concussions. Since last summer, Scripps has led these programs for nearly a dozen high school athletic departments around San Diego County. To schedule a free concussion presentation for a school or athletic organization, call 760-633-6507.

The Savvy Patient - Type of Headache Determines Treatment

2011-04-12T14:40:32-07:00

In this week’s installment of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s “Savvy Patient” column, Scripps Health provides insight on headache types and treatments.

Almost everyone has experienced a headache, but many don’t understand there are many different types, symptoms and levels of severity. Distinguishing the different kinds of headaches is a critical first step toward receiving the appropriate treatment – and in some instances, avoiding larger medical problems.

The types of headaches that occur include: Primary, cluster, migraine, tension or secondary.

Regardless of headache type, always consult a physician if a headache seems unusual or does not respond to treatment.

Read the full article for more: Type of headache determines treatment

Media Contact: Steve Carpowich
Phone: 858-678-7183
Email: carpowich.stephen@scrippshealth.org

A Mom Gets the Care She Needs to Manage Her Multiple Sclerosis

2011-05-02T12:50:44-07:00

Fifteen years ago, Tricia Chandler faced the possibility of losing her eyesight. At 24 years of age, and a new mother of a beautiful baby boy, Jake, the prospect was daunting. After multiple tests and scans, Tricia was told she had multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder where the body ends up attacking its own nervous system. “I didn’t know what multiple sclerosis was, how to spell it, and how it would define my life,” says Tricia.

Tricia was referred to Thomas Chippendale, MD, PhD, Scripps Encinitas neurologist and MS specialist. Together, they came up with a treatment plan to manage the disease and minimize the long-term effects that it may have on her body.

“Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, debilitating and emotionally draining disease,” says Tricia. “To be able to count on your doctor, and know that he wants what’s best for you, is huge. Dr. Chippendale was there for me in the very beginning and he’s been providing me care ever since.”

While MS episodes and symptoms can vary, over the years, Tricia has experienced a range of symptoms, including bouts of debilitating pain, being wheelchair-bound, migraine-like headaches and loss of bladder control. “Out of all my symptoms, the loss of bladder control was probably the most embarrassing and horrible symptom I had. Once I was able to have that controlled, my whole life changed.”

For Tricia, the key to managing multiple sclerosis has been maintaining a positive attitude, eating right, exercising and reducing the stress in her life. Tricia also finds comfort in being an advocate for people with multiple sclerosis. It gives her a great sense of empowerment.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to help others. It’s a blessing,” says Tricia, who serves as a volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, San Diego Chapter. “That’s what keeps me going, keeps me fighting until a cure is found.”

Watch a Video

Tricia talks about living with multiple sclerosis and her care at Scripps Encinitas.

Neurointerventional Radiologists from Scripps Hospitals Profiled in Local Paper

2009-09-25T09:23:39-07:00

Drs. John D. Barr and Giuseppe Ammirati —neurointerventional radiologists from Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas — were recently profiled in the Rancho Santa Fe Review:

Read: Two neurointerventional radiologists join Scripps' hospitals to combat strokes and aneurysms with X-ray-guided surgery (PDF, 1.4 MB)

Media Contact: Lisa Ohmstede
Phone: 858-626-7142
Email: ohmstede.lisa@scrippshealth.org