Brain Health Discussion: Avoid a Concussion

Understanding TBIs

TBIs occur when a sudden impact makes the brain hit the skull. Depending on the severity of the jolt, you may experience a mild, moderate or severe TBI. Concussions are the mildest form of TBI, so sometimes it may not be obvious that something is wrong. The signs of a concussion can be hard to recognize, especially since symptoms might not appear immediately and may resolve within a few hours of the incident. However, you may experience more severe symptoms if you have suffered multiple TBIs. Regardless, it is important that you seek medical evaluation to prevent further harm. Experiencing a concussion can change how your brain works, and if not treated, may affect your thoughts, actions and mental health.

TBI Signs and Symptoms

There are many indicators of a TBI, and everyone experiences them differently. Serious TBIs, including those left untreated, can cause long-term changes to your mood and behavior. You should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following after an incident:

Physical

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Balance problems
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Problems with taste and smell
• Vision problems (e.g., blurred vision, seeing double or dilated pupils)
• Unconsciousness

Mental and Emotional

• Confusion
• Delayed thinking
• Memory loss, especially about how the injury occurred
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble making decisions
• Irritability and other personality changes
• Mood swings
• Feelings of anxiety or depression

Usually, concussion symptoms go away within a month. Most Warfighters with a concussion go back to full duty about two weeks after treatment. If you have a concussion or other TBI, you should not return to vigorous physical activity, including sports or job duties, until you have been cleared by a health care provider. Returning to work or other activities without medical approval may hinder your performance, which can put you at higher risk for another TBI and endanger others. For more information about concussion symptoms and recovery, check out this fact sheet from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence.

TBI Signs and Symptoms

Service members are at higher risk of TBI compared to civilians, due to both military and non-military factors. In the last 25 years, more than 500,000 Warfighters experienced a TBI. More than 80% of these TBIs were mild, otherwise known as a concussion. The majority of these injuries were not caused in combat, but instead by vehicle crashes, sports, falls and other accidents. However, combat training and military operations also play a role in Warfighter brain health.

A common operational cause of TBIs in the military is exposure to intense blasts, which occur when firing heavy weapons, breaching buildings or detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs). You may feel a wave of pressure after an explosion, which is called blast overpressure. Being repeatedly exposed to these blast waves can harm your brain health, including your ability to think and balance. Even low-level blast exposure can change your brain structure. If you constantly experience blast waves, you could be at risk of brain damage, impaired cognition and long-term mental health concerns.

Preventing TBIs

What The Military Is Doing

The DoD is taking action to protect service members from TBIs and other related concerns. They conducted research on commonly used weapons systems and associated health effects, established documentation procedures for at-risk Warfighters and explored ways to minimize blast exposure. As a result, the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative was created to minimize the harmful effects of blast exposure during military training and operations. A key goal of the initiative is to achieve early detection of TBIs through raising awareness about concussions and employing injury prevention strategies. As part of this effort, you will be required to take cognitive function tests every five years of service to monitor your brain health. For those exposed to blast waves, you may also notice extra recordkeeping and safety measures related to TBI prevention.

What You Can Do

Most concussions among Warfighters happen in non-combat settings, often during daily activities like riding a motorcycle, playing contact sports, recreational shooting or other physical activities. Maintaining fitness for operational readiness can also require intense physical training. No matter the activity or situation, it’s important to actively protect yourself from injuries, including TBI. Stay engaged with your command and pay attention to the information they provide on brain health. It is your responsibility to understand TBI and take appropriate action if you think you may have one.

Protect Yourself from TBI