Don't take "head injury" seriously! Study warns: Risk of death 3 times higher and may cause dementia, stroke
Previous history of head trauma, which may result in reduced life expectancy? Research published in the authoritative medical journal “JAMA Neurology” shows that head injuries caused by collisions, accidental falls or sports may affect all-cause mortality; the mortality rate of people who have suffered head trauma is higher than that of uninjured people Nearly three times as much. In addition, people with head trauma are more likely to be at risk for a variety of brain diseases.
Could head trauma shorten lifespan? Study: Risk of death nearly three times higher than normal people
A team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine recruited 13,037 subjects over the age of 40 and conducted random interviews for more than 30 years from 1987 to 2019 to determine whether head trauma has an impact on long-term mortality in adults. . During the survey, 18.4% of the subjects reported one or more head injuries; among those with head injuries, 12.4% were recorded as patients with moderate to severe head injuries.
After comparing the data, the research team found that the all-cause mortality rate of patients with head trauma was 2.21 times that of those without head trauma; the all-cause mortality rate of patients with moderate to severe head trauma was 2.87 times that of those without head trauma. times. The researchers also assessed specific causes of death among all participants. Overall, the most common causes of death were cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders (including dementia, epilepsy, and stroke); among those with head trauma, Deaths from neurological disorders, accidental injuries, or trauma (such as falls) occur at higher rates.
“Previous research has shown that the short-term mortality risk associated with head injuries occurs primarily in hospitalized patients,” said study author Holly Elser, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania. “This study further explores the association between head injuries and mortality.” “Data shows that head injuries are associated with increased mortality, and that the subsequent effects are often long-term and chronic. This is particularly true for those with multiple trauma or severe head injuries.”
Are patients more likely to suffer from dementia and stroke? Expert: Head trauma is related to the occurrence of “four major diseases”
Elser further explained that when researchers evaluated the causes of “neurological deaths” in people with head trauma, they found that nearly two-thirds were attributed to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. wait. These conditions accounted for a greater proportion of total deaths among those with head injuries (14.2%) compared with those without injuries (6.6%).
Dr. Andrea LC Schneider, also the author of the study, added that the research data cannot explain why the death of patients with head trauma may be caused by neurodegenerative diseases. The possible underlying cause is the damage to specific brain areas after a strong impact on the head. operation. “Further research is still needed to explain the association between neurodegenerative diseases and increased risk of head trauma and death.”
Head injuries can be attributed to a variety of causes, including car accidents, accidental falls or sports injuries, Schneider said. What’s more, head injuries are associated with many long-term health conditions, including disability, late-onset epilepsy, dementia, and stroke. Therefore, patients with head trauma should pay more attention to the importance of regular follow-up examinations, and do not ignore various diseases caused by trauma, which may affect their lives.
Head trauma affects the function of the amygdala and hippocampus. Medical warning: “4 symptoms” may be a precursor to concussion
When the head is severely hit by an external force, “concussion” is one of the common symptoms. Dr. Lin Muxi, director of the Department of Neurosurgery at Kongtian General Hospital, previously told healthorn in an exclusive interview that when the head is hit by an external force, bleeding may not occur immediately, but concussion symptoms will mostly occur, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, forgetfulness for a period of time, and control of temper and mood. Not good, mostly caused by excessive activation of immune cells causing brain inflammation.
Dr. Lin Muxi pointed out that even if the concussion is not serious, it is still recommended to seek medical observation and interventional treatment as appropriate. Especially when symptoms become severe, such as unilateral limb weakness and persistent vomiting, further deterioration or other brain injuries should be suspected. , and undergo examinations such as brain computed tomography scans as soon as possible.
Concussion may seem like ordinary symptoms, but may it cause other brain diseases? Dr. Lin Muxi said that if a concussion damages specific areas of the brain, such as the “hippocampus” responsible for memory or the “amygdala” that controls emotions, it may cause memory loss and poor emotional control. If combined with aging or chronic diseases, brain inflammation that is not properly controlled can easily lead to brain diseases such as dementia. People with a history of related diseases are urged to be more vigilant.
Source:
Head Injury and Long-term Mortality Risk in Community-Dwelling Adults
Head Injury is Associated with Doubled Mortality Rate Long-Term, Penn Study Finds
Further reading:
These “7 things” need to be done to prevent dementia? Study: Risk reduced by up to 43%
