Page 7 - March ARB Beacon 3-25-16

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Traumatic brain injury is an all-ages threat

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Going for an afternoon jog and participating in afterschool sports are parts U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos
of daily life for millions of children. Most times, these activities are healthy and
harmless, but without proper safety measures, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a (GXFDWLQJ\RXUFKLOGUHQDERXWKHDGLQMXULHVDQGPDNLQJVXUHWKH\XVH
possibility. A trip and fall could result in a head bump, as could a collision during safety equipment properly can help reduce concussions and other forms of
a sporting event. In both cases, a mild TBI, also known as a concussion, could be brain injuries.
the outcome. Injuries of this nature are common and can be scary, but parents and
adults can take steps to improve safety and reduce injuries in children. if symptoms are improving.
“Concussions are not one size fits all,” said DiFazio. “They [children] shouldn’t
“Brain injuries don’t discriminate based on age,” said Dr. Scott Livingston,
director of education at the Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). be unnecessarily restricted for a long period. If they are allowed to engage and be
“Children definitely are not immune. In fact, a very large percentage of emergency social, it can actually hasten their recovery.”
room department visits each year are for children who suffered a brain injury.”
While preventative measures do help reduce the chances of an injury, no injury
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than is entirely preventable. If a child does suffer a blow to the head, parents and adults
2 million Americans, including more than 500,000 children, suffered some form should look for certain symptoms that indicate the child is concussed. Headache,
of TBI in 2010. Falls, assaults, traffic accidents and unintentional hits to the head dizziness, and a change in level of consciousness are all common symptoms of
with some sort of object are the most common causes of these injuries. The major- concussions. A concussed person might also experience confusion and have diffi-
ity of TBIs are mild, labeled concussions, and the prognosis for a full recovery is culty remembering the injury. If children are experiencing any of these symptoms,
excellent. Bicycle accidents, football collisions, playground injuries and all-terrain they should seek medical attention and rest for at least 24 hours before gradually
vehicle mishaps are common causes of TBI in children and adolescents. “Playing resuming normal cognitive and physical activities. Livingston said that if children
sports is certainly one of the places where kids might encounter a mild trauma do not fully recover, they are at risk of a subsequent injury.
when they run into somebody else or hit a goal post,” said Dr. Marc DiFazio, a
pediatric neurologist at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., “The most straightforward approach is education,” said Livingston on prevent-
and an Army reservist. ing TBIs. “It’s important children understand the dangers of head injuries.”

Parents and children can reduce the chance of a TBI by taking certain precau- For resources and additional information on concussions and other TBIs, please
tions. DiFazio says that prevention of head injuries includes properly using sports visit the DVBIC Web page.
equipment and protective gear, such as helmets, and using common sense and fol-
lowing safety instructions. DiFazio and Livingston said the pros of being involved
in sports outweigh the cons, and that recreational activities can make children
physically and mentally healthier.

“Exercise and sports participation are highly beneficial for our children,” said
DiFazio on the importance of physical exercise, and that being fit and healthy can
reduce the chance of injury. “We don’t need to unduly shelter our kids.”

He added that parents should not overreact because most concussions, if healed
properly, cause no permanent damage. Extended periods of rest, not participating
in school or activities, and preventing children from playing sports altogether can
negatively affect the child by causing depression, obesity and other medical issues.
Children should interact with friends, be physically active, and not remain isolated

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by AFRC public affairs Documentary:
1st: 25th Anniversary of AFSOC, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Reserve Command’s video Location-H
production “Winning Your Wings II” earned top honors as the Production of the 2nd: SICOFAA, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location-H
Year in the 2015 Air Force Visual Information Products Awards. 3rd: 45 Years and Counting, 460th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command
Training:
Brig. Gen. Kathleen Cook, director, Air Force Public Affairs, made the an- 1st: A Critical Role, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location-H
nouncement March 18. 2nd: Air Superiority, 42nd Air Base Wing, Air Education & Training Com-
mand
The video, produced by AFRC Public Affairs and the 4th Combat Camera 3rd: Ali & Josh Hobson, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location-H
Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California, also won in the Public Informa- Public Information/Internal:
tion/Internal Category. 1st: Winning Your Wings II, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command
2nd: Team Hill F-35 Mission Video, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operat-
“This is another great example of how Citizen Airmen have proven to the ing Location-H
country the ability to transform ideas of ‘what’s possible’ into ‘mission com- 3rd: CENTCOM Mission Video, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating
plete,’” said Col. Bruce Bender, AFRC director of Public Affairs. “Congratula- Location-H:
tions to our AFRC PA and Combat Camera team for bringing home the gold.” Production of the Year:
Winning Your Wings II, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command.
Winners, by category are: All 12 products will go forward to represent the Air Force in the Department
Recruitment of Defense competition hosted by the Defense Media Activity.
1st: 17th STS Recruiting, Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Loca-
tion-H
2nd: AFLCMC - Today’s Talent Ensures Tomorrow’s Air Superiority, 88th Air
Base Wing, Air Combat Command
3rd: Are You Ready for the Challenge, 20th Fighter Wing, Air Combat Com-
mand