Most skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts are trained to wear a helmet when hitting the slopes. However, experts are now questioning whether a protective piece of plastic is sufficient in preventing snow lovers from obtaining head trauma, including traumatic brain injury. More American snowboarders and skiers than ever before are wearing helmets. The number of these conscientious riders has nearly tripled since 2003, as seventy percent of all skiers and boarders are now wearing helmets. According to the National Ski Areas Association, incidents of brain injuries or fatalities related to snow-sports have remained unchanged. The TryMunity community offers support for those who have been affected by these head injuries.

Who is at risk?

While all experts agree that wearing a helmet when participating in snow-sports is vital, studies have shown that wearing a helmet may be correlated to a greater likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. Many boarders and skiers believe that because they are wearing a helmet, they are able to attempt high-risk jumps and going off trail. Those who are at highest risk are males between the ages of seventeen and thirty.

What is being done?

Many helmet manufacturers are turning their attention toward redesigning their helmets using new technology to maximize protection from traumatic brain injury. Efforts have also been made to educate those who wear helmets as to their limitations.

Join TryMunity

Whether you suffer from traumatic brain injury or you are simply interested in learning more information about head injuries, TryMunity can answer your questions as well as lend vital support. We strive to educate others on the facts of traumatic brain conditions and head injury. By joining our community, you will be linked with others who share your condition. Join today by visiting http://community.trymunity.com/.

Source:  The New York Times, “Ski Helmet Use Isn’t Reducing Brain Injuries,” Kelley McMillan, December 31,2013.

If you believe that you or someone you know is suffering from a concussion, you may feel lost as to where to turn next. Whether the injured person has sustained a blow to the head, or even the body, the following signs may help you to catch serious brain damage in the earliest stages. At TryMunity, we always recommend immediate contact of medical personnel for advice and treatment when a traumatic brain injury has been sustained.

Three key concussion symptoms include changes in each of the following categories:

• Mental Capabilities
• Physical Wellness
• Sudden or Dramatic Emotional Changes

Mental Capabilities

An individual’s change in mental capacity may be as marked as having difficulty recalling information, not being able to think clearly, or having difficulty concentrating.

Physical Symptoms

A concussion is often accompanied by physical signs of injury. Aside from visually apparent injuries like cuts, bruises, and scrapes, other physical symptoms include severe headache, blurred vision, dizziness and nausea.

Emotional Changes

A serious blow or rattling of the brain can cause more than just physical pain and mental changes. Emotional changes are also commonly associated with this type of injury. Signs of emotional disturbances include a change in sleeping patterns, like extreme exhaustion or difficulty falling asleep. Other emotional changes may include a short temper, nervousness, anxiety, or other unusual behaviors.

We invite you to join our online TryMunity community to find answers to your questions and join other people facing similar struggles and challenges. We believe some of the best ways individuals can find help with cases of serious brain damage are to become educated and surround themselves with the support and advice of others.

Brain injuries can take on a number of forms, and they affect everyone differently. If someone you know and love suffers from a traumatic brain injury, there are things you can do to help. At TryMunity, our team offers a few ways you can make a difference.

Understand the Effects

In cases where the injury is severe, people with a traumatic brain injury may have trouble communicating for a number of reasons. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), these injuries can result in hearing loss and headaches as well as communication problems. It is possible they may have difficulty finding the words they need, according to the organization. Being aware of the individual’s struggles may help friends and family members more effectively communicate with them.

Ask What You Can Do

Do not be afraid to ask how you can help. If the injury is severe, ask the person who regularly cares for your loved one. According to the ASHA, part of the individual’s healing will focus on teaching friends and family members how to interact with their loved one, and, eventually, participating in activities. Find out what role you can play to help recovery.

Spread Awareness

One way anyone can help someone, regardless of if they have a traumatic brain injury or a concussion, is to help educate other people. It is important for those affected to get help when they need it, and for other people to understand the affliction. Please join our TryMunity community today to see how you can make a difference. Visit us at http://community.trymunity.com.

You may have a son or daughter who is the avid athletic type. Although sports can play a key role in maintaining good physical health, you need to be aware of a problem that has only recently begun to attract the attention it truly deserves. Traumatic brain injury is frequently experienced by youth. At TryMunity, we hear plenty of stories to know that there is hope with the right information and support system.

Facing the Risks

Sports all come with their own risks. High-impact sports put participants at a greater risk for experiencing mild to severe concussions, and coaches cannot always prevent serious injuries. Recent studies suggest that the effects of even mild traumatic brain injury can last for much longer than was originally believed. This is especially true in young players, where there is an increased likelihood of “second impact syndrome.”

Take Action

There are a number of ways that you can act to protect your child without pulling him or her from an athletic program:

• Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
• Verify that the coaching staff is able to check for signs of brain injury.
• Refer other parents to informative materials.
• Talk about the problem.

Join our efforts at TryMunity to educate yourself and learn how to take action in your own community. By increasing awareness, you can do your part to prevent a traumatic brain injury from going unnoticed. Athletic programs help motivate kids to challenge themselves, and with the right information, they can do it more safely. Contact us online at www.trymunity.com.

Unfortunately, it is only recently that the true extent of the effects of a concussion is beginning to be understood by our society as a whole. It happens far too often that an individual who has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is not treated swiftly enough or properly. In these instances, the individual will face consequences that are far more severe than if he or she had simply been treated properly from the outset. This is why education is so important, as people must understand how far-reaching the implications of an injury of this nature can be. At Trymunity, we are trying to both educate and support.

Family and Friends Need Education

In the wake of a concussion, there are very specific guidelines that should be followed in order to minimize the potential damage of the injury:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible
• Rest and recover by avoiding physical activities, especially those that may result in contact to the head
• Understand that each injury is unique, and some individuals will need more recovery time than others
• Return to physical activity only after being cleared by a doctor to do so

The Value of Support

As more research is conducted and more is learned about the nature of a concussion every day, it is especially important to be a part of a community that is knowledgeable and can offer support to you during a trying time. We urge you to become an active part of our community, Trymunity, by visiting our community webpage. There you can learn more about the nature of these injuries and contribute your knowledge and experiences as well.