Can Brain Trauma Ever Be ‘Mild’?
Even a “mild” concussion constitutes an injury to the brain – and in fact many experts scoff at the application of the descriptor “mild” to any kind of brain trauma. Neural tissue is violently jostled within the skull, which can directly damage both brain cells and the blood vessels that feed them. The initial insult triggers a cascade of biochemical reactions, flooding the brain with calcium and potassium ions that cause blood vessels to constrict and hamper the metabolism of glucose, which the brain uses for energy.[iii] The end result has been described as an energy crisis in the brain that can last for weeks after an injury. Energy-starved nerve cells are not able to perform at their peak, and are particularly vulnerable to further damage or death. If another concussion occurs during the midst of this neural energy blight, the consequences can be catastrophic. “Second-impact syndrome” describes a rare, life-threatening condition in which a subsequent brain injury occurs before the
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