3 Tips to Avoid a Concussion During Winter

Concussion affects all ages and can happen any time of the year, but as we enter the winter months, there are certain risk factors that may increase as the days get shorter and temperatures drop. The CDC estimates 2.8 million people visit the emergency room each year because of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This statistic includes not only mild TBI, synonymous with concussion, but moderate to severe TBI as well. In 2013, falls were the leading cause of TBI, accounting for 47% of all emergency room related visits.

Concussion awareness has increased in recent years; however, keep these three considerations in mind this winter to avoid getting a concussion.

  1. Be careful in places with low lighting. Our visual system plays a very important role for balance and it is normal to be somewhat less stable in the dark. Installing nightlights in your hallways at home can help improve your visual system’s ability to maintain your balance. If the area around your home is not well lit, it may be helpful to keep a flashlight in your car.
  2. Use extra caution in wintry weather conditions such as sleet, ice, or snow. These conditions make ground surfaces less stable for both walking and driving. Wear supportive shoes or boots with a good grip and watch out for black ice. When driving, pay close attention to weather forecasts and traffic patterns. When in doubt, don’t go out if the conditions are deemed unsafe for driving.
  3. Wear protective headwear such as a helmet when participating in winter sports such as skiing, sledding, or ice skating. It is important to stay active during the winter months, but it is also important to recognize that these activities are not immune to risk of concussion. Although wearing protective headwear has not been shown to prevent a concussion from occurring, it is very important to wear helmets to avoid other injuries such as skull and/or facial fractures or lacerations.

Visit our concussion treatment page for a list of the signs and symptoms of a concussion that you should be aware of.

If you or someone you know has sustained a concussion, seeking medical care with your primary care provider, urgent care, or the emergency room may be necessary. Sheltering Arms Total Concussion Care Program provides rehabilitation services including physician management, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, and psychology services to serve the post-concussion needs of the community. Click here or call (804) 764-1000 if you’ve suffered a concussion and need help managing your symptoms.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. Basic Information: Get the Facts. Accessed November 11, 2018. Updated April 27, 2017.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their family, relationships, and community participation. Because these symptoms can impact so many aspects of a person’s life, a rehabilitative care team should consist of multiple disciplines that work together to provide a collaborative, all-encompassing care plan, called interdisciplinary care.

9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately apparent.

Clinical research scientist

Five Reasons to Participate in Research

During my participation in a clinical trial, I was able to learn first-hand about the process surrounding medical discoveries. I also gained an understanding of how to advocate for my health and learned to ask more questions about the risks involved in different medical treatments. Participation in research was incredibly beneficial to me personally. To help you learn more about research participation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons to participate in research.

How to Measure Exercise Intensity

Target heart rate (HR) is a great way to measure exercise intensity to get the most out of your workout. For most people, it provides an accurate way to measure the safety of an activity in relation to the percentage of your maximum heart rate. However, for some people, because of several medications that regulate HR (such beta blockers) or the availability to acquire a device that monitors HR, using HR alone to measure exercise intensity can be challenging.

How to Maximize Physical Therapy Visits from Insurance

As a new year begins, so do new health insurance deductibles and benefits. It’s important to be aware of your healthcare expenses to plan for the year ahead. For those seeking physical rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, it’s important to remember that health insurance may not cover unlimited sessions. Understanding how to make the most of your visits covered by insurance is key to maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your therapy visits while extending the time spent on your recovery to achieve your goals.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.