Blog #3: Concussions Are Brain Traumas That Can Cause Seizures

Every so often, Sports Illustrated honors an athlete who must “retire” from a sport because of a head injury (concussion). As a neurologist, I agree that this is a prudent decision. Imagine my frustration and disappointment when, earlier this year, the Pentagon announced that it would not award a Purple Heart to military personnel who suffered “only” a concussion in combat. I knew that this was a grave error.

            A concussion is a disruption of normal brain function that is caused by a traumatic force to the head. Loss of consciousness is not necessary. Most symptoms are transient. These include: disorientation with confusion, slowed movements, loss of balance, slowed thinking, slurred speech, headache, drowsiness, nausea/vomiting, and blurred vision.  Repeated concussions can cause irreversible brain damage and epilepsy (recurrent seizures).

When the patient is checked by a doctor, the physical examination, brain scan, and electroencephalograms are likely to be normal. If the person experiences prolonged or chronic post-concussion symptoms, a neuropsychological evaluation can accurately detect whether a concussion has caused mental dysfunction. Unlike most other conventional war wounds, concussion does not produce an obvious physical abnormality. Even if the person is bleeding, he may not lose consciousness. But concussions can cause long-lasting psychological and physical symptoms that impact their emotional lives in the form of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

            For the first time in my life, I wrote to my congressman to say that it was wrong for the Pentagon to not honor soldiers who have had a concussion. Even though I explained the medical reasons for my argument, I never received a satisfactory response to my letter. But several weeks later, for whatever the reason, the Pentagon reversed its decision: soldiers who have suffered a concussion now qualify for the Purple Heart medal.

 

 

 

Lance Fogan, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. DINGS is his first novel.