Did you know that some 30,000 concussions (or head injury related incidents) are reported annually in Canada … If you suffer from concussion symptoms and you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara, advanced orthomolecular nutrition is considered one of the best approaches.
A Behind the Scenes Look at Concussion Injury
Concussions are a mild form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI’s have the potential to induce sudden or insidious brain tissue and brain function changes. TBI’s happen when the head hits something violently, is hit again and again, or when an object goes through the skull and into the brain.
Causes of TBI’s include falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, gunshot wounds, child abuse, beatings, or injuries resulting from sports or active combat situations (e.g. explosions).
Concussion symptoms include headache, confusion, light-headedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking. A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
Hormone related issues may play a role
The pituitary and the hypothalamus glands are located in the brain and a TBI can injure these areas causing hormone imbalance. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are like orchestra conductors. Their job is to tell other endocrine glands (such as the thyroid and adrenal glands) throughout the body to make the hormones that affect and protect every aspect of your health. A person with a TBI may have hormone problems that emerge right away or months/years afterward. Some endocrine problems may be temporary and disappear within a year after TBI. The outlook depends on the type of injury and how severe it is.
Problems that may occur soon after TBI may include:
• Adrenal insufficiency: When the adrenal glands don’t make enough hormones; this results in fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, vomiting, and dehydration. The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney, they make cortisol and other hormones which help the body cope with stress, illness, and injury.
• Diabetes insipidus: When the pituitary doesn’t make enough ADH; this results in frequent urination and extreme thirst.
• Hyponatremia: When certain hormone problems upset the balance of salt and water in the body; this can result in headache, fatigue, vomiting, confusion, and convulsions.
Problems that may occur later include:
• Hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone; thyroid hormone controls metabolism and is involved in the function of the heart and other organs) with fatigue, constipation, weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, and cold intolerance;
• Hypogonadism (not enough sex hormones) where you may see in women, a stop in menstruation and a loss of body hair, and in men, sexual dysfunction, breast enlargement, loss of body hair, and muscle loss;
• Growth hormone deficiency (not enough growth hormone) where you may see in adults, increased fat, loss of muscle and bone, and decreased energy, and in kids, growth problems;
• Hyperprolactinemia (too much prolactin) where you may see irregular menstrual periods, breast discharge, and erectile dysfunction.
Orthomolecular Assessment at our clinic looks at hundreds of factors associated with mineral and vitamin imbalance, metabolic system trends, heavy metal involvement and inflammatory components that can be addressed with diet and other supporting protocols. A check of specific hormone levels is often indicated. We may request MD involvement to order brain imaging tests to rule out pituitary changes, tumors, and cysts.
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Disclaimer: Information provided is not to be used for self-assessment, diagnosis or treatment. We advise the public to discuss these topics with their health care provider or book an appointment with our Oakville clinic.