Concussions...

[murphyboiiii]

I've had three concussions

One bad one, caused by a ski crash. I blacked out, and had symptoms for a month.

One bad, but not terrible one, caused in a car wreck, not as noticeable symptoms for a month and a half.

One mild, but noticeable one, not sure the intensity of it yet, as it was caused by a ski crash 2 days ago.

I know NS isn't full of doctors, but I really love skiing, and know others have experienced this.

I value my health, and don't want to regret taking head injuries lightly when I'm older.

What should I do? I've been thinking about almost every possible solution, from quitting altogether, to buying a MIPS helmet, and continuing skiing. While I love this sport, if it's serious enough to quit. I will do whatever is necessary to avoid ruining my life.

Any advice helps, not asking for sympathy. I just don't really understand the severity of these things

 

[DirtYStylE]

I hear that once you have one, you are more prone to getting another one. Also, they can have huge impacts on your mental health. Now I am not a doctor, and you should definitely consult your physician about this.

First off, wear a helmet at all times!!!

I personally would not give up skiing. I would just tone things down a bit and avoid dangerous situations where you run the risk of hitting your head. The number one thing to remember while skiing... is your own skill level. Know what you can and can't do. Just have fun and stay within your capabilities.

 

[Scotty_B]

Having the fear of another concussion would ruin my experience on the hill. No more free skiing. I'd film or work at the shop or something.

For real though what did your doctor tell you? Or have you not seen a doctor..?

 

[daannnnieel]

i've had a few caused by skiing, i'm either really tough or I will be getting early dementia. Normally if you notice it, stop skiing or whatever. Also after you've already had a couple concussions you're going to be way more prone to them in the future.

generally if you think you have one, go see a doctor.

 

[murphyboiiii]

I hear that once you have one, you are more prone to getting another one. Also, they can have huge impacts on your mental health. Now I am not a doctor, and you should definitely consult your physician about this.

First off, wear a helmet at all times!!!

I personally would not give up skiing. I would just tone things down a bit and avoid dangerous situations where you run the risk of hitting your head. The number one thing to remember while skiing... is your own skill level. Know what you can and can't do. Just have fun and stay within your capabilities.

Having the fear of another concussion would ruin my experience on the hill. No more free skiing. I'd film or work at the shop or something.

For real though what did your doctor tell you? Or have you not seen a doctor..?

I wear a helmet always and my doctor said it's up to me but I should be really careful... I just wasn't sure what to do

 

[broder2828]

As a future licensed medical professional (hopefully here in a few months) with some exclusive training on concussions, I'll give you my take.

Its really like anything other injury as far as long-lasting effects and your ability to be symptom free. It depends all the factors both big and small in your treatment and recovery process, along with your own personal individual variable. The time in-between concussions, (months, days, years) the severity of the trauma (clearly your first and second were pretty severe), how many sub-concussive impacts occur in-between concussions, which will re-aggrivate symptoms, and how you manage yourself when recovering from a concussion. (Clearly you are smart enough to care about your brain, I give you A+). And of course, long term outcomes are where you the the CTE stuff and whatnot.

I am going to a sports med conference that has a whole day dedicated to concussions, so If i come back with something useful for you, I'll let you know.

For you I'd say honestly take a break, with your history of them it sounds like you'll have some symptoms. Take care of yourself, avoid computer screens, things that strain the eyes, high mental stressors, you know the drill you've had 2 of them. Try to minimize the symptoms and ease back into sending shit.

The next step for helping your symptoms or residual side effects, and answering long term concerns would be to see a Neurologist. They can get some accurate brain scans, only really useful if you have huge mental deficits or right after your concussed tho. And can prescribe different treatments, such as botox, meds, even PT. Accupuncture I've heard works great for some, go to a massage therapist and get a full occipital release (Neck musculature) which could be very tight or in spasm due to the impact, and can cause some of the longer lasting tension headache and migraine like symptoms. If anything use a hot pack on there, because that shit feels great.

As far as the helmet goes, it's really there to prevent fractures. It's a brain bucket. The coup and countercoup mechanism can't be avoided unless the helmet takes some of the forces and distributes it across the helmet away from the brain evenly without the brain moving (if that makes sense). The MIPS system is certainly better with the sliding mechanism taking away some of the forces. But it's to a point. I have no idea what kind of clinical research is done wtih it. So if they say they prevent concussions I'd be wary. I'll end my rant with a video link to what some NFL Helmet Prototypes look like, around 4 minutes mark is the model.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/zero-1-football-helmet-helps-prevent-concussions/

 

[Stadtski]

First off, wear a helmet at all times!!!

I personally would not give up skiing. I would just tone things down a bit and avoid dangerous situations where you run the risk of hitting your head. The number one thing to remember while skiing... is your own skill level. Know what you can and can't do. Just have fun and stay within your capabilities.

This. Just be cautious and smart

 

[Stadtski]

First off, wear a helmet at all times!!!

I personally would not give up skiing. I would just tone things down a bit and avoid dangerous situations where you run the risk of hitting your head. The number one thing to remember while skiing... is your own skill level. Know what you can and can't do. Just have fun and stay within your capabilities.

This. Just be cautious and smart

 

[Stadtski]

First off, wear a helmet at all times!!!

I personally would not give up skiing. I would just tone things down a bit and avoid dangerous situations where you run the risk of hitting your head. The number one thing to remember while skiing... is your own skill level. Know what you can and can't do. Just have fun and stay within your capabilities.

This. Just be cautious and smart

 

[murphyboiiii]

As a future licensed medical professional (hopefully here in a few months) with some exclusive training on concussions, I'll give you my take.

Its really like anything other injury as far as long-lasting effects and your ability to be symptom free. It depends all the factors both big and small in your treatment and recovery process, along with your own personal individual variable. The time in-between concussions, (months, days, years) the severity of the trauma (clearly your first and second were pretty severe), how many sub-concussive impacts occur in-between concussions, which will re-aggrivate symptoms, and how you manage yourself when recovering from a concussion. (Clearly you are smart enough to care about your brain, I give you A+). And of course, long term outcomes are where you the the CTE stuff and whatnot.

I am going to a sports med conference that has a whole day dedicated to concussions, so If i come back with something useful for you, I'll let you know.

For you I'd say honestly take a break, with your history of them it sounds like you'll have some symptoms. Take care of yourself, avoid computer screens, things that strain the eyes, high mental stressors, you know the drill you've had 2 of them. Try to minimize the symptoms and ease back into sending shit.

The next step for helping your symptoms or residual side effects, and answering long term concerns would be to see a Neurologist. They can get some accurate brain scans, only really useful if you have huge mental deficits or right after your concussed tho. And can prescribe different treatments, such as botox, meds, even PT. Accupuncture I've heard works great for some, go to a massage therapist and get a full occipital release (Neck musculature) which could be very tight or in spasm due to the impact, and can cause some of the longer lasting tension headache and migraine like symptoms. If anything use a hot pack on there, because that shit feels great.

As far as the helmet goes, it's really there to prevent fractures. It's a brain bucket. The coup and countercoup mechanism can't be avoided unless the helmet takes some of the forces and distributes it across the helmet away from the brain evenly without the brain moving (if that makes sense). The MIPS system is certainly better with the sliding mechanism taking away some of the forces. But it's to a point. I have no idea what kind of clinical research is done wtih it. So if they say they prevent concussions I'd be wary. I'll end my rant with a video link to what some NFL Helmet Prototypes look like, around 4 minutes mark is the model.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/zero-1-football-helmet-helps-prevent-concussions/

Thanks a ton man! Good to hear from someone who knows about this stuff on this website, the new helmet prototype is interesting too.

 

[Ricky420]

As a future licensed medical professional (hopefully here in a few months) with some exclusive training on concussions, I'll give you my take.

Its really like anything other injury as far as long-lasting effects and your ability to be symptom free. It depends all the factors both big and small in your treatment and recovery process, along with your own personal individual variable. The time in-between concussions, (months, days, years) the severity of the trauma (clearly your first and second were pretty severe), how many sub-concussive impacts occur in-between concussions, which will re-aggrivate symptoms, and how you manage yourself when recovering from a concussion. (Clearly you are smart enough to care about your brain, I give you A+). And of course, long term outcomes are where you the the CTE stuff and whatnot.

I am going to a sports med conference that has a whole day dedicated to concussions, so If i come back with something useful for you, I'll let you know.

For you I'd say honestly take a break, with your history of them it sounds like you'll have some symptoms. Take care of yourself, avoid computer screens, things that strain the eyes, high mental stressors, you know the drill you've had 2 of them. Try to minimize the symptoms and ease back into sending shit.

The next step for helping your symptoms or residual side effects, and answering long term concerns would be to see a Neurologist. They can get some accurate brain scans, only really useful if you have huge mental deficits or right after your concussed tho. And can prescribe different treatments, such as botox, meds, even PT. Accupuncture I've heard works great for some, go to a massage therapist and get a full occipital release (Neck musculature) which could be very tight or in spasm due to the impact, and can cause some of the longer lasting tension headache and migraine like symptoms. If anything use a hot pack on there, because that shit feels great.

As far as the helmet goes, it's really there to prevent fractures. It's a brain bucket. The coup and countercoup mechanism can't be avoided unless the helmet takes some of the forces and distributes it across the helmet away from the brain evenly without the brain moving (if that makes sense). The MIPS system is certainly better with the sliding mechanism taking away some of the forces. But it's to a point. I have no idea what kind of clinical research is done wtih it. So if they say they prevent concussions I'd be wary. I'll end my rant with a video link to what some NFL Helmet Prototypes look like, around 4 minutes mark is the model.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/zero-1-football-helmet-helps-prevent-concussions/

Going to agree with most of what you said, as for the mips helmets that are not said to prevent concussions it simply lowers the risk of receiving one. I've had multiple concussions and at times I can really notice but I still ski, obviously if you are still having symptoms and haven't been cleared stay off the hill as skiing isn't worth destroying your brain but once your back to normal go back to sending your meat