DCoE Blog

• 2016 DCoE Summit Review: Center Offers Intensive Care for TBI Patients

  Posted by Sidney R. Hinds III, DCoE Public Affairs on October 3, 2016

  

  Doctors from the Fort Hood Intrepid Spirit Center in Killeen, Texas presented a multidisciplinary treatment approach for service members coping with the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the 2016 Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Summit Sept. 13-15.

  Dr. Scot Engel, a clinical psychologist and site director of the Intrepid Spirit Center, and Dr. John Dieter, a neuropsychologist and director of research, explained the Fort Hood Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which helps service members who have deployed to combat zones or experienced sexual assault in the military. Candidates are eligible to participate with commander approval if they have not responded positively to lower-level treatments and have at least two of the following:

  • A history of TBI
  • Current experience with significant emotional distress
  • Chronic pain

  The program combines multiple disciplines to also treat service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Conferences, Treatment   |   Comments (0)

• Military Health System News: Do Benefits of Sports Participation Outweigh Risks?

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs from Military Health System on September 29, 2016

  

  Playing sports has health benefits for children and service members. Experts from the Military Health System examined whether those benefits outweigh the risks in a recent health.mil article.

  Children can be involved in sports from a young age. Participating in sports gives children a way to release energy in a more controlled, positive manner, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Roth, a sports medicine physician at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in northern Virginia. From toddler gymnastics to T-ball and soccer, organized sports help teach young children important social lessons – like teamwork, sharing and perseverance.

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, prevention   |   Comments (0)

• ‘What Did You Say?’ Hearing Loss and Brain Injuries

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs on September 28, 2016

  

  It’s no surprise that some symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) include headaches and memory problems. But hearing loss may also accompany a TBI, either because the injury damages the ear or because there is damage to the part of the brain that processes sound. In addition, loud noises that might just be irritating to people without a brain injury can cause problems such as headaches and fatigue for those with a TBI.

  Research continues to fully understand the mechanisms associated with hearing loss and auditory and vestibular (important part of the ear for balance) system injuries in individuals with TBI, said Katie Stout, director of clinical affairs for Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. In the meantime, there are specialty treatments and rehabilitation strategies available for hearing and balance challenges in individuals with TBI.

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Resources, Treatment, prevention   |   Comments (0)

• Taking Time Off Enabled My TBI Recovery

  Posted by Eve Baker, Marine Corps reservist on August 31, 2016

  

  On May 5, 2005, I was riding my bicycle to work at Marine Corps Base Hawaii when I was hit head-on by a careless driver. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, I likely would have died instantly or at least been left with extremely severe brain damage. Even with a helmet, I was still knocked unconscious and experienced a TBI. After a few days in intensive care, I was sent home under the 24-hour supervision of my mother, a registered nurse, and my fiancé, a Marine and former emergency medical technician.

  The doctors said that for a while all I was allowed to do was sleep, read or watch TV. I don’t remember much of the first couple weeks out of the hospital because I slept a lot – 12 to 16 hours a day. That’s common after a head injury, and it was all I wanted to do.

  Categories: Women, Traumatic Brain Injury, My Voice, Treatment   |   Comments (0)

• College Success After Traumatic Brain Injury

  Posted by Deborah Bailin, DVBIC Public Affairs on August 22, 2016

  

  As a service member or veteran, you have all the advantages of your military training and experience to help you succeed in college. You’ve learned the importance of discipline, dependability teamwork and how to show respect. You know how to set goals and raise the bar for everyone around you. These skills will serve you well.

  Nevertheless, entering or returning to school after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may feel challenging. You may find yourself coping with persistent symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, pain, vision and hearing problems, dizziness, and mood changes. You may also feel overwhelmed or have difficulty staying focused.

  Strong support systems at colleges and universities can help you through these challenges. However, it’s important to be your own advocate and educate yourself about what resources are available.

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Veterans, Reintegration, Resources, DVBIC   |   Comments (4)

• Get Your Head Out of the Game to Prevent TBI

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs on August 15, 2016

  

  As fall sports season begins for students and families, players can reduce the risk of a concussion by learning to tackle properly in sports such as football, lacrosse and rugby. Coaches may tell players to get their heads in the game, but players shouldn’t take that literally, warned an expert with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC).

  Learning to lead with the shoulder and not the head or helmet is important for all sports that involve contact, said Scott Livingston, director of education for DVBIC.

  “Take the head out of the game,” he said. “Don’t use the head as a weapon. Don’t aim for an opponent’s head.”

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, DVBIC, prevention   |   Comments (0)