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Tag: brain

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By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), Chiropractic Care , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Long-Term Effects


Learn about traumatic brain injury, its impact on individuals, and approaches for treatment and rehabilitation in this informative post.

Introduction

When the head is hit or jolted suddenly, it can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can change how someone thinks, acts, and feels. This article explains TBI in simple terms, including what causes it, its symptoms, and how it affects the body. It also shows how nurse practitioners and chiropractors can work together to help people get better (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain caused by something outside of the body. The skull protects the brain, but a strong blow can still hurt it. A concussion is a mild form of TBI, while a severe form can cause a long coma or disability. TBI happens to millions of people every year because they fall, crash their cars, or play sports (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Everything we do is controlled by our brains. When it gets hurt, problems can happen right away or take weeks to show up. Early care is very important (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Common Causes of TBI

TBI starts with a strong force to the head or body. Here are the main causes:

  • Falls: The top reason, especially in kids and older adults. Slipping in the shower or falling off a ladder can cause TBI (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
  • Car accidents: High-speed crashes shake the brain inside the skull.
  • Sports injuries: Football, boxing, and soccer players often get concussions.
  • Violence: Gunshots, assaults, or shaken baby syndrome.
  • Blast waves: Soldiers in war face TBI from explosions (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Even a small bump can cause mild TBI if the brain moves rapidly within the skull (Hicks et al., 2020).

Symptoms of TBI

Symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. They can appear in the body, mind, or feelings.

Right-Away Signs

  • Losing consciousness for seconds or minutes.
  • Headache that will not stop.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Feeling dizzy or losing balance.
  • Blurry vision or ringing in the ears (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Later Signs

  • Trouble remembering new things.
  • Slow thinking or reading.
  • Hard time focusing.
  • Feeling sad, angry, or worried.
  • Sensitivity to light and noise.
  • Sleep problems such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness (Cleveland Clinic, 2023; Silverberg et al., 2018).

A chiropractor or nurse practitioner can find hidden signs by asking detailed questions about the accident and daily life (Jimenez, n.d.-a).

How TBI Affects the Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, bones, and joints. TBI often hurts this system because the force hits the whole body.

  • Neck pain and stiffness: Whiplash in car crashes strains neck muscles and spine.
  • Back pain: The spine can shift out of place, causing long-term pain.
  • Poor posture and balance: Brain signals to muscles get mixed up, making walking hard (Treleaven, 2017).
  • Muscle weakness: One side of the body may feel weak after severe TBI.

Spinal misalignment can press on nerves and slow healing. Chiropractors check the spine with gentle tests to spot these issues (Jimenez, n.d.-b).

How TBI Affects the Neurological System

The neurological system is the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. TBI directly damages this network.

  • Slow nerve signals: Thinking and moving feel delayed.
  • Seizures: Electrical storms in the brain.
  • Nerve pain: Tingling or burning in arms and legs.
  • Coordination loss: Hands shake or feet trip (Ellis et al., 2017).

Questioning reveals whether light bothers the eyes or whether noise causes headaches—clues to nerve irritation (Silverberg et al., 2018).

How TBI Affects Vital Organs

TBI can reach organs far from the brain through swelling and stress.

  • Heart: Blood pressure swings; heart rate becomes uneven.
  • Lungs: Breathing problems if the brain stem is hurt.
  • Gut: Nausea, poor digestion, or constipation from nerve disruption.
  • Liver and kidneys: Medicines for pain can strain these organs if not watched (Khellaf et al., 2019).

A nurse practitioner orders blood tests to check organ health and adjust care (Jimenez, n.d.-c).

Uncovering Hidden Problems with History and Questions

Good questions act like a map to hidden TBI effects. A chiropractor or nurse practitioner asks:

  • “When did the injury happen?”
  • “Do bright lights hurt your eyes?”
  • “Do you feel sick after reading?”
  • “Any new pain in your neck or back?”
  • “How is your sleep?”

These answers guide exams. Gentle spine checks show tight muscles. Balance tests reveal wobbly steps. The provider connects dots between the brain, spine, and organs (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Haider et al., 2018).

A Hidden-Symptom Checklist Example You Can Bring To Your Visit

Visual Problems After TBI

Eyes and brain work as a team. TBI breaks the link.

  • – Double vision.
  • – Trouble tracking moving objects.
  • – Light sensitivity (photophobia).
  • – Dry eyes or blurry sight (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Simple eye tests in the office spot these issues early (Green et al., 2010).

Nausea and Digestive Signs

After a TBI, nausea is common. It can last if the vagus nerve is angry. Patients might feel full too quickly or have acid reflux. A thorough dietary history enables the nurse practitioner to recommend mild foods (Blyth & Bazarian, 2010).

Neurological Issues: Slow Thinking and Reading

A mild TBI can make the brain work more slowly. It takes longer to read a page. Finding the right words is hard. Memory for new information fades. Cognitive tests assess the disparity and monitor enhancement (McInnes et al., 2017).

Sensitivity to Light and Noise

Photophobia and phonophobia are when normal lights or sounds hurt. This is because the brain circuits are too active. Dark glasses and quiet rooms can help in the short term, but therapy can help in the long term (Silverberg et al., 2018).

Sleep Issues Like Insomnia

Sleep heals the brain. TBI breaks the sleep cycle.

  • Hard to fall asleep.
  • Waking often.
  • Daytime fatigue.

Poor sleep slows recovery. A sleep diary guides the care plan (Wickwire et al., 2018).

Why an Integrative Approach Works

A team effort is what integrative care is all about. Chiropractic care fixes the body’s frame and nerves. Nurse practitioners look at your whole health when they care for you. They work together to speed healing and reduce setbacks (Jimenez, n.d.-d; Gardner & Yaffe, 2015).

Chiropractic Care for Nervous System and Musculoskeletal Health

Chiropractors use hands-on methods:

  • Spinal adjustments: Gentle pushes realign the spine, ease nerve pressure, and boost blood flow to the brain.
  • Soft-tissue therapies: Massage relaxes tight neck and back muscles.
  • Targeted exercises: Balance drills and core strength rebuild coordination (Navarro et al., 2018).

These steps improve brain signals and reduce pain without drugs (Coronado et al., 2015).

Nurse Practitioner’s Medical Oversight

The nurse practitioner:

  • Orders brain scans if needed.
  • Manages pain, mood, or seizure medications.
  • Checks blood work for inflammation or hormone balance.
  • Guides nutrition to feed the brain (omega-3s, antioxidants).
  • Watches emotional health and refers to counseling (Haag et al., 2019).

Building a Holistic Treatment Plan

A full plan blends body, mind, and lifestyle.

  1. Week 1–2: Rest, gentle neck adjustments, nausea control.
  2. Week 3–6: Add soft-tissue work, light aerobic exercise, and sleep routine.
  3. Month 2–3: Balance training, cognitive puzzles, stress management.
  4. Ongoing: Monthly check-ups, diet tweaks, and home exercise.

Patients track symptoms in a simple journal. The team reviews progress every two weeks (Jimenez, n.d.-e; Cnossen et al., 2017).

Feeling Better Than Ever After a Semi-Truck Accident- Video

Real-Life Observations from Dr. Alexander Jimenez

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, treats patients with TBI in El Paso, Texas. He notices:

  • Neck misalignment often hides behind headaches.
  • Early spinal care cuts recovery time by weeks.
  • Teamwork with medical providers prevents medicine overload.
  • Simple home balance drills speed return to work (Jimenez, n.d.-f; Jimenez, n.d.-g).

His dual training lets him spot both spine and medical red flags fast.

Long-Term Outlook

With the right plan, most people with mild TBI will feel better in a few months. Moderate to severe cases require extended care, yet continue to show improvement. Staying on the integrative path increases the likelihood of complete functionality (Maas et al., 2017).

Conclusion

Traumatic brain injury affects every part of life, from muscles to mood. The first step is to know what causes and symptoms are. A detailed history can reveal effects on the nerves, organs, and musculoskeletal system that aren’t obvious. Chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, and exercises help the body get back to its original state. Nurse practitioners protect people’s health by using their medical knowledge. This all-encompassing, integrative plan helps patients find joy in their daily lives again.

References

By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Chiropractic Care, Therapy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exploring Nociceptors: Detecting and Reacting to Pain

Can understanding how nociceptors function and their role in processing pain signals help individuals who are managing injuries and/or living with chronic pain conditions?

Nociceptors

Nociceptors are nerve endings that detect harmful stimuli, such as extreme temperatures, pressure, and chemicals, and signal pain. They are the body’s first defense against potentially damaging environmental inputs.

  • Nociceptors are in the skin, muscles, joints, bones, internal organs, deep tissues, and cornea.
  • They detect harmful stimuli and convert them into electrical signals.
  • These signals are sent to the brain’s higher centers.
  • The brain interprets the signals as pain, which prompts the body to avoid the harmful stimulus.

Nociceptors, often called pain receptors, are free nerve endings all over the body. They play a pivotal role in how the body feels and reacts to pain. The main purpose of a nociceptor is to respond to damage to the body by transmitting signals to the spinal cord and brain. (Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. 2001) If you bang your foot, the nociceptors on the skin are activated, sending a signal to the brain via the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord. Pain resulting from any cause is transmitted this way. Pain signals are complex, carrying information about the stimuli’s location and intensity. This causes the brain to fully process the pain and send communication back to block further pain signals.

Classification

There are different classes of nociceptors, which are based on which type of stimuli they respond to (University of Texas McGovern Medical School, 2020)

Thermal

  • Thermal nociceptors respond to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
  • For instance, when touching a hot stove, the nociceptors, which signal pain, are activated immediately, sometimes before you know what you’ve done.

Mechanical

  • Mechanical nociceptors respond to intense stretching or strain, such as pulling a hamstring or straining a tendon.
  • The muscles or tendons are stretched beyond their ability, stimulating nociceptors and sending pain signals to the brain.

Chemical

  • Chemical nociceptors respond to chemicals released from tissue damage.
  • For example, prostaglandins and substance P or external chemicals like topical capsaicin pain creams.

Silent

  • Silent nociceptors must be first activated by tissue inflammation before responding to a mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimulus.
  • Most visceral nociceptors are located on organs in the body.

Polymodal

  • Polymodal nociceptors respond to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli.

Mechano-thermal

  • Mechano-thermal nociceptors respond to mechanical and thermal stimuli.

Pain Transmission

Nociceptors are also classified by how fast they transmit pain signals. Transmission speed is determined by the type of nerve fiber known as an axon a nociceptor has. There are two main types.

  • The first type is A fiber axon, fibers surrounded by a fatty, protective sheath called myelin.
  • Myelin allows nerve signals/action potentials to travel rapidly.
  • The second type is C fiber axons, which are not surrounded by myelin and transmit slower. (University of Texas McGovern Medical School, 2020)

Because of the difference in transmission speed, the pain signals from the A fibers reach the spinal cord first. As a result, after an acute injury, an individual experiences pain in two phases, one from the A fibers and one from the C fibers. (Ngassapa D. N. 1996)

Pain Perception Phases

When an injury occurs, the stimulated nociceptors activate the A fibers, causing a person to experience sharp, prickling pain.

  1. This is the first phase of pain, known as fast pain, because it is not especially intense but comes right after the stimulus.
  2. During the second phase of pain, the C fibers are activated, causing an intense, burning pain that persists even after the stimulus has stopped.
  3. The fact that the C fibers carry burning pain explains why there is a short delay before feeling the sensation.
  4. The C fibers also carry aching, sore pain caused by organs within the body, such as a sore muscle or stomachache. (Ngassapa D. N. 1996)

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

From Injury To Recovery With Chiropractic Care

References

Purves D, A. G., Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. (2001). Nociceptors. In Neuroscience. 2nd edition. (2nd ed.). Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10965/

University of Texas McGovern Medical School. (2020). Chapter 6: Pain Principles. https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s2/chapter06.html

Ngassapa D. N. (1996). Comparison of functional characteristics of intradental A- and C-nerve fibres in dental pain. East African medical journal, 73(3), 207–209.

By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Sleep Hygiene, Therapy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Maximizing the Benefits of Napping: Optimal Duration and Effects

Could regular daytime naps help individuals slow the aging process from natural brain shrinkage?

Taking Naps

Research and experts suggest that a short nap between 10 to 40 minutes provides the most benefits, including:

  • Improved mood
  • Cognitive performance
  • Alertness

A study suggests that daytime napping might prevent the brain from shrinking with age. (Paz V., Dashti H. S., & Garfield V. 2023)

Optimal Nap Time

A small study of young adults found that naps lasting 10 to 60 minutes immediately improved mood and alertness. However, most research shows that naps under 30 minutes offer the most benefit because individuals are less likely to enter the deep sleep stage or experience sleep inertia – a period of impaired alertness right after waking.  A meta-analysis also suggested that short naps reduce fatigue, increase productivity, and enhance physical performance. (Dutheil F. et al., 2021) A 10-minute nap is the most effective at improving:

  • Sleep latency or sleep onset latency (SOL)
  • Fatigue
  • Vigor
  • Cognitive performance

Some sleep specialists recommend that patients not take naps longer than 40 minutes, as too much napping could be unhealthy. Studies have shown that excessive daytime sleepiness and napping for over 60 minutes might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart problems. (Yamada T, Nobuhiro S, Takashi K. 2016)

Health

In the study published in Sleep Health, researchers used data from over 30,000 participants aged 40 to 69 from the U.K. Biobank. Researchers examined genetic variants associated with taking naps regularly. (Paz V., Dashti H. S., & Garfield V. 2023) The researchers found a link between regular daytime napping and larger brain volume. The difference in brain volume between individuals who nap regularly and those who don’t was equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of aging. However, no association was found between napping and cognitive performance reaction time or visual memory. The brain naturally shrinks with age, but this process is accelerated in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.

How To Avoid Napping for Too Long

Taking naps is good for you. But there’s a difference between healthy daytime sleep and counterproductive excessive sleeping.

  • Sleep specialists recommend setting an alarm for a nap or asking a family member, friend, or coworker to wake you up.
  • Individuals can try placing their phones or alarm clocks far away so they have to move to turn them off.
  • Individuals are recommended to stand up immediately to wake the body through movement and light exposure to avoid feeling groggy after a nap.
  • One study suggests consuming caffeine before a nap may be an effective countermeasure for sleep inertia. (Hilditch C. J., Dorrian J., & Banks S. 2016)
  • Engaging in physical activities before and after naps can also help promote wakefulness.

Sometimes, people feel exhausted for various reasons, such as stress and nutrition, rather than a lack of sleep. In these cases, sleeping more than the body needs will only worsen sleep quality at night. When individuals are experiencing daytime fatigue, rather than lying back down or sitting in bed, sleep specialists suggest walking around. This allows the fatigue to pass, and the patient can sleep better at night.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Chiropractic’s goals are to help individuals enhance movement with less pain due to a condition after injury or surgery. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body heal itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

Secrets of Optimal Wellness

References

Paz, V., Dashti, H. S., & Garfield, V. (2023). Is there an association between daytime napping, cognitive function, and brain volume? A Mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank. Sleep health, 9(5), 786–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2023.05.002

Dutheil, F., Danini, B., Bagheri, R., Fantini, M. L., Pereira, B., Moustafa, F., Trousselard, M., & Navel, V. (2021). Effects of a Short Daytime Nap on the Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(19), 10212. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910212

Yamada T, N. S., Takashi K. (2016). Daytime napping, daytime sleepiness and the risk of metabolic diseases: dose-response meta-analysis using restricted cubic spline model. J Am Coll Cardiol., 67(13), 1951. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(16)31952-0

Hilditch, C. J., Dorrian, J., & Banks, S. (2016). Time to wake up: reactive countermeasures to sleep inertia. Industrial health, 54(6), 528–541. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.2015-0236