This blog post sheds light on vestibular changes experienced post-concussion. We discuss why it occurs, other symptoms it could manifest as, medications and supplements, and tips for management.
Thankfully, scientists are constantly inventing and studying products to help detect and prevent concussions. We wanted to take a moment to summarize what we have learned about those products most recently introduced. Though research is ongoing, and time will tell how well these products work and can be utilized in real-time, it is exciting to consider these new tools.
Concussion prevention: Q-Collar
Concussion detection: Abbott's i-STAT™ Alinity blood test
Though blood brain biomarker testing will likely not be helpful for the outpatient pediatric office, it could have use in an ER setting. When a patient is referred to the ER, it is likely because their injury is severe enough to consider a CT scan to rule out a bleed in the brain. (CT scans can’t determine a concussion since a concussion is an injury to the cells in the brain which can’t be seen on imaging, but it can detect something more severe, such as bleeding in the brain, which can be associated with a more severe concussion). Those athletes who need further evaluation, and potentially a CT scan to rule out bleeding in the brain, present with more significant post- concussion symptoms such as loss of consciousness for 30 seconds or more, 1 sided neurologic finding (including unequal pupils), repeated vomiting, or progressively worsening and worsening headache. In patients with these more significant symptoms, perhaps this test or one like it could potentially help determine who needs and who does not need a CT scan, and protect those who do not need it, from CT scan radiation.
In summary, we are thankful for the constant research being done to invent and study products to help detect and prevent concussions. As we hear of new products coming to the market, we will do our best to review the literature and see what may help us as we care for our patients. It is exciting to consider these new tools.
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This blog post sheds light on vestibular changes experienced post-concussion. We discuss why it occurs, other symptoms it could manifest as, medications and supplements, and tips for management.
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