Integrative Functional Medicine Approach to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

 When a person has a head injury, they may visit an emergency hospital, where a doctor may request a CAT scan to check for signs of a brain hemorrhage. The CAT scan will almost always reveal no acute bleed. The patient is given a list of symptoms to watch for in order to diagnose post-concussion syndrome. They usually don't get treatment options that address the physiology of what's going on in their brain; instead, they're told to relax and wait for their damage to heal.

The difficulty is that this strategy frequently overlooks subsequent brain injuries that might arise in certain brain locations. If left unmanaged, this injury may take to a reduction in brain reserves, migraines, memory loss, and other problems in the afflicted parts of the brain.

I created an integrative functional medicine strategy that tackles the pathophysiology of brain injuries after years of managing diverse head injuries and witnessing the shortcomings of the conventional method. To put it another way, it's a means to figure out what's going on in the brain as a result of the injury. But, more particularly, a method of identifying and treating brain regions that may have been overlooked in a typical assessment.

The goal of this article is to raise knowledge of these choices so that you may discuss them with your doctor, enhance treatment success, and reduce the chances of a secondary brain damage being untreated.

Is it possible to have mTBI without realizing it?

May I Have mTBI and Not Know It?I first became interested in concussions and brain injuries as a result of my shared interests in sports medicine and holistic health. While NFL concussions receive a lot of attention in the media, there are a lot of other ways a person might get a concussion or other moderate head injuries.

A common cause of head injuries is striking your head during an accident or a fall. Many individuals are unaware that a concussion may occur even if you do not bump your head. Your brain may crash against your skull from within your head if an accident produces severe head movement (such as when your automobile is rear-ended and your head rocks back and forth).

If asked if they struck their head, the patient will respond no, but this does not rule out the possibility of a concussion as a result of the event. It's critical to be aware of potential brain-damaging events and to express your concerns at the initial exam. Any potential brain damage will be carefully assessed and treated as a result of this.

Symptoms of mTBI and Secondary Brain Injury

The Timeline Problem

Headache, nausea, hazy vision, lethargy, and depression are common primary concussion symptoms. Excessive tiredness and sleeplessness are other possible side effects. In most cases, these symptoms will go away in 4-6 weeks.

Secondary symptoms might emerge up to a week after the injury and are frequently linked to the parts of the brain that were affected. The following are examples of secondary symptoms:

• Having trouble finding words
• Memory loss in the short term
• Inability to concentrate or lack of attention
• Words that are difficult to comprehend
• Multitasking is challenging due to impaired executive function.
• Slow thinking or "brain fog"
• Light or sound sensitivity (from neurons reaching their threshold, so they fire too easily)
  

Some of these symptoms may appear two weeks after the damage, depending on how swiftly neurons are lost in the brain. This may make connecting the dots and linking some of these symptoms to the head trauma challenging.

There are extra obstacles when dealing with youngsters because they are not always aware of their symptoms or able to articulate how they feel. As a result, it may take longer for parents to notice something is wrong.

The Conventional Approach's Common Pitfalls

There are frequently further obstacles that develop after symptoms are recognized, in addition to the challenges that come during the discovery phase, when certain symptoms are neglected and may not be related with the real injury.

Connecting the symptoms to the brain's afflicted regions

It's critical to link symptoms to the exact parts of the brain that may be impacted after they've been identified. Standard MRI and CAT scans are frequently inpractical at catching the damaged parts of the brain, therefore it's crucial to meet with a doctor who knows how the brain works.

It is critical to keep track of time.

When these abnormalities are not identified and handled briskly, harm to the brain may occur quietly behind the scenes, and the brain may continue to deteriorate. Treatments work most when they begin as soon as feasible.

Identifying the symptoms that go along with it

To avoid these typical side effects of a head injury and to treat the symptoms as briskly as possible, follow these steps:

• Consult a doctor who is familiar with brain physiology, preferably one who customizes in functional neurology.
• For up to two weeks following the incident, list all of the symptoms you're having to see whether any of them are connected to the head trauma.
  

When it comes to mTBI, an integrative functional medicine approach is the way to go.

A head injury's pathophysiology

Some of the primary pathophysiological pathways and therapy objectives following a head injury are listed below.

As I previously stated, the goal of this material is to raise awareness of these possible difficulties so that you may discuss them with your doctor and ensure that they are appropriately investigated and handled.

1 – Hypoxia in the brain

Reduced oxygen supply to the brain

Treatment options that may begin as soon as feasible include:

• HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy):
• It works by increasing oxygenation in troublesome tissues that aren't getting enough. For years, this technique has been used to heal wounds and diving injuries. HBOT has been shown in several trials to be helpful for individuals with moderate traumatic brain injury by boosting brain oxygenation.
• Supplements containing nitric oxide:
• Arginine and citrulline may help the brain produce more nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter that may helps link blood vessels and neurons in the brain.
• Ginkgo biloba with vinpocetine:
• Two dietary supplements that may help the brain get more oxygen and blood flow.

2 – Excitotoxicity Excessive excitotoxicity

Rapid calcium influx through NMDA receptors, which may cause cell injury and death.

Treatment possibilities include:

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) or aspartame-containing meals and beverages should be avoided.
• During the first several weeks, avoid taking any calcium supplements.
• Magnesium I-threonate (Mg I-threonate):
• A form of magnesium that has been demonstrated to raise magnesium levels in the brain, perhaps reducing excitotoxicity by functioning as a natural NMDA receptor blocker.
• Taurine
• An amino acid that may be particularly beneficial at all phases of a head injury, including giving excitotoxicity protection.
• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a kind of amino acid.
• An amino acid that may aid in the reduction of excitotoxicity. It also aids in the replenishment of glutathione, a vital antioxidant in the body.

3 – Mitochondrial Degeneration

Low energy and exhaustion

Mitochondrial Damage Low Energy FatigueBrain No Fuel Head Injury mbti concussion Mitochondrial Damage Mitochondria are the energy-producing sections of the cells. The mitochondria may have difficulties producing energy as a result of the damage, certainly in the first 5-7 days following the incidence. As a result, you may have low energy, exhaustion following cognitive activity, or overall fatigue.

Targeted supplements with certain nutrients that mitochondria require to produce energy are used as treatment options:

• B vitamins that have been methylated (the active forms of the B vitamins)
• CoQ10
• Glutathione
• Omega 3 DHA
• Resveratrol and NAD+ (for cases of high brain fatigue)

4 – Inflammation of the Nervous System in the Brain

Inflammation of the brain

Microglial cells in the brain are sometimes damaged and inflamed as a result of a head injury. Many brain activities rely on microglial cells, including the synthesis of essential neurotransmitters and trophic factors that help nourish neurons and form new synaptic connections.

With a particular anti-inflammatory brain injury diet and supplements, treatment options focus on lowering inflammation and feeding the brain.

5 - Digestive Issues Following a Head Injury

The gut-brain axis is a system that connects the gut and the brain.

All patients who have had a head injury before should be questioned regarding digestive problems such gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, such as vagus nerve injury, sluggish motility, and alterations in the gut microbiota, is frequent in concussion patients.

This may be a major problem since a brain injury may take to autoimmunity in the gut lining, brain tissue, or the blood-brain barrier. As a result, if you're experiencing any gastrointestinal problems, I recommend getting antibody testing for the gut and the blood-brain barrier to see whether this is the case.

Treatment options vary depending on the extent of GI tract damage, but they usually revolve on a food regimen that aims to lower gut inflammation and restore gut health.

Options for Additional Treatment

In addition to the key pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic targets listed above, important therapy alternatives and lifestyle considerations that may aid in the healing process are included below.

Exercise

Cardio Exercise for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)You might be shocked to learn that aerobic exercise can really assist repair brain injuries. Cardiovascular exercise has been proven to enhance the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which aids in the repair of neurons and synaptic connections.

I strongly advise adding exercise when the patient has sufficient energy. While the workout load should be matched to the patient's fitness level, the suggested intensity is 40 minutes of aerobic activity at 70-80 percent of the patient's maximal heart rate 4-5 times per week. If you don't have a heart rate monitor, this translates to activity where having a conversation of more than a few words is difficult.

Increase Your Sleep Time

Sleep is critical because a substantial portion of brain mending takes place while we sleep. Every night, you should sleep for at least 8 hours.

People frequently suffer from neck injuries as a result of their head traumas, and they are in discomfort. They may not be able to sleep properly as a result of the pain. In other circumstances, you may be dealing with emotional stress as a result of the injury, which may take to sleeping issues.

Several studies have found that even three days of poor sleep might result in an increase in inflammatory markers. If you're having trouble sleeping as a result of your ailment, it's critical that you pay attention to it. If required, you should discuss the various methods for improving sleep with your doctor.

Microcurrent with an identified frequency (FSM)

FSM is a therapy that uses micro amperage currents delivered at identified frequencies to various bodily tissues. It's a form of micro current that may be used to treat inflammation in the brain, as well as brain damage. In my practice, I've found FSM therapy to be a safe and functional therapeutic choice for musculoskeletal and brain ailments.

Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) should be kept to a minimum.

We already have enough knowledge regarding the possible negative effects of EMFs on the brain, even if the general public seldom hears about it. After a head injury, I feel it is prudent to take measures and limit exposure. This is mainly crucial for youngsters who are more susceptible to electromagnetic fields.

While it is typically impossible to totally avoid EMFs, there are several steps you may do to limit your EMF exposure. This is particularly crucial at night, when the bulk of brain mending occurs:

• Keep your phone away from your head.
• At night, turn off the WiFi routers.
• Turn off your phone or keep it out of your bedroom at night.
• Disable any other smart WiFi devices.
• Electric beds, smart beds, and electric blankets should all be turned off.
• Use a smart meter shield to protect yourself.

Summary

Concussions and mild traumatic brain damage are prevalent, but the usual medical method to managing them is inpractical. I think that using an integrative functional medicine approach to treatment may considerably increase treatment productiveness and reduce the risk of unmanaged secondary brain damage. Use this data to educate yourself and discuss your options with your doctor.

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