Managing Brain Injuries
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Dr. Jen Blanchette shares how she helps patients with brain injuries cope with the mental health aspects of their conditions.
Frequently those with brain injuries (TBI, concussion, and others) will experience symptoms including but not limited to:
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue/drowsiness
- Inner ear issues/dizziness/sensitivity to sound/ringing in the ears
- Difficulty paying attention
- Visual difficulties (blurred vision, sensitivity to light)
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
In this episode, we discussed ways to optimize brain health regardless of whether or not you’ve experienced a brain injury:
- Nutrition: Eating macronutrients, foods with fiber (i.e. fruits and veggies), and Omega-3 (i.e. fish, flaxseed, fish oil)
- Movement: You don’t need to be doing PT like you were 19 all over again. Focus on keeping the blood moving in your body. Walk your dog – Fido will love you for it!
- Social interaction: Get quality social interactions where you feel that people know you. Church groups, VFW/American Legion, or other interest groups.
- Sleep: You have to recharge the battery.