Use it or Lose it ThinkFirst Oregon Jennifer Salame Central Nervous System: Brain and Spinal Cord The Brain Weighs 3 pounds If smoothed, it would cover an area of 2.5 square feet Has ~100 billion neurons but has no pain receptors The Neuron Dendrite Cell body Axon Synapse Information travels along neurons at a rate of 225 miles/hour. A fetus grows neurons at a rate of 250,000/minute Parietal Lobe Frontal Lobe Temporal Lobe Occipital Lobe Cerebellum Brain Stem Brain Function Natural Defenses Spinal Cord Natural Defenses Spinal Cord Injury What are the leading causes of brain injury? What is happening inside of the skull How does brain injury occur? Collision with skull Brain damage How does brain injury occur? Collision with skull Internal Bleeding Concussion: A disruption to the normal functioning of the brain Diagnosis You dont have to black out to have a concussion Concussions wont show up on a brain scan such as MRI or CT scan You only need one symptom to be diagnosed with a concussion Recovery Can take weeks or even months If you sustain a second concussion before your first concussion has had time to heal you could get Second Impact Syndrome Maxs Law Effective in all Oregon public schools Required removal from play if concussion is suspected, must stay out for at least 24 hours, and can only return with medical professionals clearance Concussion Symptoms Thinking/ Remembering Physical Emotional/ Mood Sleep Difficulty thinking clearly Headache, Fuzzy or blurry vision, Dizziness IrritabilitySleeping more than usual Feeling slowed down Nausea or vomiting (early on) SadnessSleeping less than usual Difficulty concentrating Sensitivity to noise or light More emotionalTrouble falling asleep Difficulty remembering new information Feeling tired, having no energy Nervousness or anxiety What are the side effects of a traumatic brain injury? Thinking Sensation Language Emotion Movement What are the side effects of a traumatic brain injury? Loss of function Concussion Memory loss Coma Prevention is the only cure for a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. AVOID ACCIDENTS! How do you protect your brain while driving or riding? Drive without distractions AVOID ACCIDENTS! How do you protect your brain while driving or riding? Drive without distractions Dont text and drive AVOID ACCIDENTS! How do you protect your brain while driving or riding? Drive without distractions Dont text and drive Be a good passenger AVOID ACCIDENTS! How do you protect your brain while driving or riding? Drive without distractions Dont text and drive Be a good passengerWear a seatbelt AVOID ACCIDENTS! How do you protect your brain while driving or riding? Wear your seat belt the right way! To wear a seat belt or to not wear a seat belt? Video Wear a Helmet! Oregon State Law Since 1994 If youre under 16, you must wear a helmet. Skateboarding and rollerblading requires a multi-impact helmet. Bicycle helmets are single-impact helmets. Skateboarding and rollerblading requires a multi-impact helmet. How do you use your brain while riding a bike, skateboard, scooter, etc.? Saving your life is as easy as 1 2 3 Think About Your Choices DVD Get Involved with ThinkFirst! VolunteerLike us on Facebook! Think First Oregon For more information, contact: Jennifer Salame