The Effects of Trauma on the Brain
Both physical and emotional trauma can negatively affect the brain. Sometimes a minor trauma can harm the brain more than you think. Learning about the effects of trauma on the brain will help you understand how vulnerable the brain is and why it should be protected.
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Physical Trauma
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The brain is a very soft and delicate organ. The bone surface inside the skull is not smooth and slippery, but full of ridges, some of which are as sharp as a blade. A concussion or a mild traumatic head injury is more serious than just a bump on the head. When you experience one blow to the head, your brain will slam against the wall of ridges, causing breakages in small blood vessels that later become scars. Sometimes a serious head trauma may not lead to immediate symptoms or show anything irregular on an MRI. The brain symptoms can appear in a few weeks or even months. The common symptoms include trouble concentrating, memory loss, headaches, blurred vision and temper problems.
Physical Trauma and Alzheimer's Disease
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According to Dr. Daniel G. Amen, a neuroscientist and the author of "Making A Good Brain Great," people with the apolipoprotein (apo) E4 gene are about five times more prone to Alzheimer's disease than others. When someone with the apo E4 gene has a head injury, there is a tenfold risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. An apo E4 genotype blood test can help you decide whether to engage in high-contact sports or other high-risk activities.
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Protecting the Brain from Physical Trauma
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Transportation-related accidents and high-contact sports are the most common causes of traumatic head injuries. To protect yourself, always wear your helmet while riding a bike or motorcycle. Never forget to fasten your seat belt while driving. Babies or toddlers improperly restrained in a car are also at a high risk of brain injury if an accident happens, so make sure you use appropriate restraint devices. When it comes to high-contact sports, less is better. Even contact that seems harmless can actually be bad for the brain. For example, Norwegian researchers have found that soccer players who suffer memory loss and attention impairment are those who often hit the ball with their head.
Emotional Trauma
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Like physical trauma, emotional trauma can also cause negative changes to the brain. Dr. Daniel G. Amen and his research team have studied many people who have been raped and tortured, and survivors of fires and car accidents. They have found that many parts of these people's brains are hyper-alert as if to prepare themselves for an unforeseen danger. These hyperactive areas include the deep limbic system, anterior cingulate gyrus, basal ganglia and right temporal lobes. As a result, emotionally traumatized individuals often experience insomnia, nightmares, headaches, muscle tension and extreme anxiety.
Soothing the Brain
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The best way to cope with an extreme emotional trauma is to consult with a phychotherapist about your deepest feelings and deal with the problems head-on. Avoid substances such as nicotine and caffeine, as they tend to stress the brain even more. In addition, consult with your doctor about taking stress-relieving supplements such as B vitamins, St. John's wort and valerian. The B vitamins, in particular, are very effective and usually don't cause any side effects.
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