It’s no secret that we all feel better when we’re clear-headed and well-rested. Unfortunately, many Americans struggle with ongoing neurological symptoms, including insomnia, brain fog, dizziness, headaches, and visual and balance problems. Brain injury, illness, or stress could be the underlying cause. Because brain health impacts all areas of the body, diminished brain function from an injury or illness, when left untreated, can have a ripple effect. Following are seven primary areas impacted by brain function.
Mood Swings, Stress, Anger There are a variety of causes for mood swings and not all of them point to a chemical imbalance. It’s important to get the correct diagnosis in order to treat it effectively, so if you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, stress, and anger, it may be time to evaluate your brain function. Areas in the frontal lobe are responsible for emotional control, critical thinking, and mood. Our office specializes in the evaluation and treatment of brain function. Our state-of-the-art testing can evaluate your frontal lobe and guide you in treatment to help these symptoms. Sleep When a person experiences inflammation that leads to diminished brain function, one of the body’s most important means of healing is often the one that’s the most elusive: sleep. And this inability to get quality sleep often exacerbates symptoms. Lack of sleep can lead to an increasingly diminished emotional state and continued problems with mood, memory, and concentration. Our patients who previously relied on medicines and sleep aids for their symptoms have reported feeling and sleeping better after as few as five days in our NeuroReset program. Vision It’s well known that a concussion can cause blurred vision, double vision, and sensitivity to light and sound. But did you know that other neurological conditions can also cause problems with visual tracking, focus, depth perception, processing, and spatial awareness? We see these symptoms most often in athletes who have suffered a brain injury, but we also see vision disturbances in patients with a variety of neurological conditions. Our comprehensive treatment approach includes oculomotor rehabilitation designed to treat these symptoms. Balance Many people suffering from diminished brain function experience difficulty with balance and hand-eye coordination. The GyroStim is one type of vestibular therapy that provides relief from these symptoms by allowing the patient to perform a variety of exercises and challenges while seated in a multi-axis rotational chair controlled by a computer program. Concentration, Memory, Mental Clarity You may have heard the term “brain fog,” especially if it’s something you’ve experienced as a result of an illness, injury, or other neurological disorder. Disruptions in concentration, memory, and mental clarity impact all areas of our life, even if we don’t have demanding full-time jobs or school commitments. We use an approach called photobiomodulation, which applies a low level of laser stimulation to specific areas of the brain in need of treatment. This treatment has been shown to stimulate healing, improve circulation, and reduce the swelling and inflammation that cause these disturbances. Gastrointestinal Distress Our patients are often surprised to learn about the connection between gut and brain health. Trauma to the brain activates a stress function via the vagus nerve, which can lead to heartburn, gas, bloating, and other discomforts. An anti-inflammatory diet can often relieve these symptoms, but if you’re still experiencing delays in recovery after making dietary adjustments, further evaluation may be necessary. Skin Problems In the same way that inflammation can cause disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, this type of stress response can also cause skin irritation. Additionally, high cortisol associated with the emotional distress of coping with a brain injury or neurological disorder can aggravate an existing skin condition. If dietary or topical treatments don’t appear to be working, and neurological symptoms are also lingering, the condition may warrant further evaluation. New Year, New Brain If you’ve been struggling with ongoing neurological symptoms that are disrupting your daily routine, you’ve come to the right place. Our patients describe in testimonials how they have found relief from numerous symptoms after finally pinpointing the root cause of their discomfort. NeuroHealth specializes in diagnosing complicated neurological disorders and developing individualized treatment plans to address our patients’ specific conditions. Call our Indianapolis neurology office at (317) 848-6000 and get on the path to recovery today. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and to help direct needed attention to the large number of brain injures that go untreated and undiagnosed, we’ve compiled 7 things you need to know about concussions and why it’s important to seek treatment.
1. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury It’s caused by a sudden jolt or impact causing the brain to shift within the skull. A concussion does not require a blow to the head. 2. You should limit screen time after a brain injury The CDC recommends limiting screen time and loud music before bed, sleeping in a dark room, and sticking with a daily routine for sleeping and waking. Ease back into activities that cause eye strain and fatigue. 3. Women and girls are at higher risk for concussions But more research is needed to determine the reason why. A 2018 study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found female athletes are at nearly twice the risk of experiencing sports-related concussions than male athletes. The study concluded this may be due to biomechanical or hormonal differences, or even the fact that female athletes are just more likely to report their symptoms. 4. Concussion treatment promotes faster recovery One of the myths we often hear about concussions and other brain injuries is that only time can heal them. At Neurohealth Services, we offer an array of neurorehabilitative treatment tools designed to locate and stimulate specific areas of the brain compromised by an injury. Our patients have reported significant relief of concussion symptoms following our specialized treatments. 5. Concussion symptoms are not always obvious or immediately apparent Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) can include insomnia, confusion, memory loss, or mood swings. Children may not have the vocabulary to describe their symptoms as well as adults and may report “just not feeling right.” 6. Post-concussion syndrome is often difficult to diagnose Up to 95% of brain scans may appear normal after a concussion, even when specific networks have been compromised. If symptoms persist or become worse, it’s important to seek treatment in order to prevent further delays in recovery. 7. Ask for guidance on when you can safely return to activities Routine activities such as work, school, sports, and driving may cause fatigue when your brain is healing, which can prolong recovery. We recommend gradually returning to these activities and easing back if symptoms return or worsen. If you are still experiencing concussion symptoms that are disrupting your daily routines weeks or months after an accident or injury, please seek treatment with NeuroHealth Services. Our functional neurology team specializes in treating patients who have been unable to find relief elsewhere. Call (317) 848-6000 to schedule an evaluation today. |
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