Beyond the Bump: How to Recognize and Recover from Traumatic Brain Injuries

Beyond the Bump: How to Recognize and Recover from Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can happen to anyone and many people do not even realize they’ve suffered one. The CDC reports over 2.53 million people are diagnosed with a TBI in the emergency room annually; hundreds of thousands more who do not seek medical attention remain undiagnosed._¹ The majority happen due to falls in children less than 5 years old or adults 75 and older.² TBIs from workplace accidents and motor vehicle collisions most commonly occur in persons 15-54 years old, and about 40% of all TBIs happen to young athletes under 20.³ TBIs don’t always look like a head-bonked Looney Toons character sitting on the ground with stars or birds circling their head. Any significant fall, bump, blast, or other seemingly minor injury to the head can cause one. You don’t have to blackout or be diagnosed with a concussion to suffer lasting psychological, cognitive, or physical issues. Thankfully, ongoing research and supportive therapies offer ways to help recover.

Symptoms of TBI

Head injuries can cause various symptoms that affect physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Since the brain is soft, it is susceptible to injury inside the skull. Sudden force, whiplash, or jostling can push the brain against the skull damaging essential structures. For example, the hypophyseal vessels are smell structures connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. These are easily injured by sheer force, whiplash injuries, or increased intracranial pressure. Once this link between the brain and the pituitary gland is damaged, people may experience a slough of symptoms mimicking pituitary dysfunction. In fact, 33-50% of TBI survivors experience thyroid dysfunction after a head injury.⁴ Yet, these small blood vessels are only a fraction of the vulnerable brain.

Depending on which part of the brain is injured, people may experience a variety of symptoms. Some symptoms appear immediately; others emerge after weeks or months. Common physical symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light or noise.⁵ Cognitively, individuals may experience memory problems, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, confusion, and slowed thinking. Mental health can change after a traumatic brain as well. Depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, moments of rage, and other mood disorders have all been reported after a TBI.⁶ Addressing these issues through early intervention and targeted treatments is essential to minimizing long-term psychological consequences and promoting overall brain health.

How a TBI is Diagnosed

Though CT scans and the Glasgow coma scale are the standardized clinical methods to diagnose a concussion; these only detect large structural damage to the brain and cannot always detect minor or subtle injuries to the microvasculature in the brain.⁷ More advanced imaging techniques, like a SPECT scan, can detect micro changes in perfusion to the brain including injuries to the hypophyseal vessels and other small structures.⁸ CT scans only assess the anatomical structure of the brain; SPECT scans can reveal how well blood vessels in the brain are functioning.

TBI Management

Doctor Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and founder of BrainMD, has pioneered a revolution in brain health by utilizing this new brain imaging technique and functional medicine. Traditional psychiatrists will diagnose symptoms as the disease itself; they’ll listen to a patient who feels depressed and label them with depression. But people are more than their symptoms. Doctor Amen is striving to find the root cause of mental illness instead of labeling symptoms. He has 11 Amen Clinics across the United States that use SPECT imaging to assess blood flow and activity in different brain regions. His integrative approach focuses on personalized treatment plans using hyperbaric oxygen treatment, nutritional guidance, behavioral therapies, and neurofeedback to address the full spectrum of post-TBI challenges.

Hyperbaric Oxygen

One of the most exciting advancements in TBI recovery is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If blood vessels in the brain are injured, parts of the brain can be starved of oxygen. Without oxygen, the brain cannot function or heal. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This process promotes healing by saturating the blood with oxygen driving oxygen deep into the brain. When used in a correct and timely manner, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can offer massive support to individuals after a severe and mild brain injury.⁹ Many who use hyperbaric chambers experience improved cognitive function, decreased headaches, and enhanced mood regulation following therapy sessions.

Nutrition

Nutrition and diet also play a critical role in brain recovery post-concussion. Supporting the recovering brain with antioxidants, healthy fats, minerals, and supplements helps to repair damaged neurons and reduce inflammation. Research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and flaxseeds, can enhance neuroplasticity, aiding in cognitive and emotional recovery.¹⁰ Additionally, an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet rich in turmeric, green leafy vegetables, and berries can help mitigate oxidative stress and accelerate healing. Over-the-counter supplements help boost nutritional intake faster than trying to eat entire truckloads of kale.

Neurofeedback

Another promising therapy for post-concussion recovery is neurofeedback. Similar to cognitive behavior therapy, neurofeedback utilizes a trained clinician to guide users through the process. However, neurofeedback sessions add electroencephalography and other biofeedback sensors. This real-time monitoring of brain activity allows individuals to train their brains to achieve healthier brainwave patterns.¹¹ The sessions give patients better mindfulness and coping skills. For example, if someone is experiencing headaches or attention disorders after a TBI, neurofeedback can reveal muscle tension or brain activity during stressful activities such as solving a difficult math problem. An expert clinician then can guide the patient through techniques to release the tension and retrain the brain to focus correctly. Neurofeedback has been used successfully to address symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. By strengthening neural pathways and improving self-regulation, neurofeedback enhances cognitive resilience and emotional stability.

Brains are complex. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI, you’re not alone. Individuals can optimize recovery, improve their cognitive function, and protect their mental health long-term. Healing the brain after injury requires a comprehensive strategy that may include hyperbaric oxygen, targeted nutrition, and neurofeedback. To optimize recovery, it is important to embrace science-backed and expert-led interventions. Consider exploring some of these innovative therapies to support your journey toward optimal brain health

Written by Ira Van Matre, PharmD Candidate 2025
Edited by Lindsey Dalton, PharmD

References:

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