Brain Injury

FAQs

Question: How long should I expect to suffer headaches from the concussion?

Answer: Have you been diagnosed with a concussion? Have you seen a physician? If you have a concussion, in general the symptoms will go away in 6 weeks. If they continue, you are experiencing what is called Postconcussive Syndrome. My book goes into extensive detail about it.

Question: If I were to have a bruise on the brain, can medication dissolve this, without surgery?

Answer: If you bruise your brain, rest, water, higher protein diet can help. Medication is used for specific symptoms.

Question: Are there any lasting side effects from a concussion?

Answer: Maybe. Once you have a concussion, the symptoms from the next brain injury (concussion) will be more intense. Please take care of yourself.

Question: How long does it usually take to get back to "normal"?

Answer: It depends on whether you've had other injuries to your brain.

Question: Hello, my name is Trina and I'm writing a school report. What is a Stroke? I was wondering if you could Answer this question. "Is there ever going to be a treatment about strokes?" If you have time to respond, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Answer: Dear Trina, I'd be more than glad to help you. You did not say what age you are or the level of education. I will try and explain about stroke. A Stroke is often called a Brain Attack or Ischemic Stroke. Blood is supplied to the brain through veins and arteries. A stroke can be from 2 different causes. Either when the blood supply is blocked off because of a blood clot in the blood supply to the brain thus depriving the brain of blood. This is called an Embolic Stroke. Another cause is when there is a bleed called a hemorrhage in the brain. This is called a Thrombotic Stroke.

Once the brain has been injured this is called a brain injury. On my web site is a list of all the various symptoms from a brain injury regardless if it is from a Stroke or from an outside force. That is called a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. A stroke is called an acquired brain injury since it is not caused from an outside force. Regardless of the cause the symptoms are all the same.

My book Coping with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury does explain how to treat every single symptom of a brain injury, this includes a stroke. So to Answer your question, yes you can treat a stroke and often very effectively if given proper treatment. Depending where you live your local library should have a copy of my book. If not, you can always purchase it on my web site. I hope this has helped. Let me know how the report turned out and your grade. If I can be of any further help let me know.

With Warmest Regards,
Dr. Diane Roberts Stoler, Ed.D.

Question: I have been recently diagnosed with MTBI. I've been living with lightheadedness, nightly sleep disturbances, irritability, depression, etc, etc, for the past 3 years. My question is: What are the effects of alcohol on a person with a brain injury and where can I find detailed information? I had a drinking episode before I was diagnosed and DO NOT REMEMBER a thing. I have never had this happen to me before. Could it be related to my illness? I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks.

Answer: Alcohol is not good for brain injury. Have you read my book? It is clearly stated. As for your symptoms these too are addressed in my book. To help with your symptoms, you have to eliminate all food that converts to sugar in the brain, that includes alcohol. The foods you need to eliminate are the following:

All wheat, rye, oat or rice products--flour, cereals, pasta, bread. Increase your proteins with nuts, eggs, meat, fish, legumes, soy products. Eat fruits and vegetables. If you are diabetic, then you may have to eat more fruits or vegetables. The higher protein diet, the better you'll be. As for your irritability and moods, Beta Blockers are your best bet. You need to have your primary care physician or neurologist prescribe them for you. Try the diet for two weeks, if you don't see a difference in your symptoms, go back to your present diet. Regardless, alcohol is definitely not good for a person with a brain injury.

As for your loss of memory, this is part of the diagnosis of brain injury. Otherwise you would have been diagnosed as just having a concussion.

With Warm Regards,

Dr. Diane

Question: I had a concussion 2 weeks ago in an auto accident. The MRI shows a hemorrhage on the left outer surface of my brain. No fluid built up yet. I was just released from the hospital, however, am having headaches and am extremely tired. Doctor has advised to take Tylenol for the headaches and to take it easy. Is there anything else I can do to speed up my recovery. I am having another MRI on Monday. I am 31 years old and am very athletic.

Answer: It is extremely important at this stage of your healing to rest. Think of a wounded animal who goes into their cave to heal. Initially that is when they rest, then they exercise. As part of my clinical practice I work with professional athletes and even they take time off.

Be prepared that in the next few weeks you may experience more symptoms. Remember all of these symptoms can be treated or compensated for and you can and will eventually resume an active life again. However, once an injury of this type happens to the brain, the next injury is exponential. You need to keep a record of this brain injury.

If you choose not to rest, the recovery is longer and you can possibly have more long term symptoms. Now rest doesn't mean you have to stay in bed all day. It means common sense. Take a walk, not run and listen to your body. Walking in the water is also helpful, however if you feel fatigued pace yourself.

Eat a higher protein diet and eliminate all forms of sugar, except fruit. This means eliminate wheat, oats, rye, rice, and potatoes, pasta, and cereal. Increase legumes, nuts, soy products, eggs, (whites if high cholesterol), meats, fish and seafood. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits.

Please write back in a couple of weeks and let me know how you're doing.

With Warmest Regards,
Dr. Diane

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