Madison Concussion Help: Tips for Preventing Brain Injuries

It’s an unfortunate reality that slips, falls, hits while playing sports, and even seemingly mild bumps can all cause injuries to the brain in addition to those that are physical. What’s even worse is that because you can’t see brain injuries, many people never even realize they have them. And while there are many new solutions that can help you recover from these; the best option is to always prevent them from happening in the first place. There are actually many ways you can do this, and some of the top tips are listed below.

  1. Wear Protective Sports Gear

Whether you play football, are on the wrestling team, ride horses, go skiing, or do any other physical sport, you should be wearing a helmet at all times. This should be properly fitted for your head size and have an American Society for Testing and Materials sticker on it. Helmets that are ill-fitted or just designed for fashion can be dangerous, so take the time to make sure yours is safe.

  • Buckle Up 

According to the CDC 14% of all traumatic brain injuries are the result of car accidents, so make it a priority to wear a seat belt whenever you get in your vehicle (and make sure passengers are buckled as well). It’s also important to check that children are fit into the right type of car seat based on their weight, age, and height.

  • Wear the Right Shoes

Falling from wearing the wrong type of shoes can result in a brain injury, especially in dangerous conditions like ice or snow. Protect yourself by checking weather reports ahead of time to ensure you have the right shoes for walking outdoors. You should also wear proper footwear when playing sports, hiking, running, and doing any other physical activity.

  • Clean Up Your Home

Clean up any loose wires, secure rugs, fix broken floorboards, and install stairway railings to help prevent falls from occurring within your home. It’s also important to install window guards, safety gates, and crib side rails if you have children.

  • Protect the Bath

Place a nonslip mat in your shower and bathtub to help prevent falls while bathing. You should also have an absorbent mat on the ground next to the bath/shower to absorb water when you walk out. 

  • Pay Attention to Surroundings

A lot of people experience brain injuries from slips and falls simply because they don’t pay attention to where they are going. Be aware of your surroundings and always keep an eye on what’s in front of you to avoid being hurt. 

What if an Injury Already Occurred?

If you’ve suffered a brain injury, whether mild or traumatic, it’s important to receive immediate medical care. After that, you should always follow up with an appointment to a functional neurologist.Their in-depth approach to caring for brain injuries can mean finding effective ways to recover, even if the injury occurred many years ago. If this alternative form of care is new to you it’s still worth checking out.