Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or an impact on the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This abrupt movement can cause the brain to bounce about or twist in the skull, causing chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and destroying brain cells. Meet with Dr. Wilson, our naturopathic doctor, at Upgrade PDX to get the best treatment for your specific needs.

What Causes a Concussion?

Concussions are caused by a sort of head impact damage. Inside our skulls, our brains float in a jelly-like fluid known as cerebrospinal fluid. Our brain and its surrounding membrane can hit the side of our skull as a result of a head injury. This type of trauma can induce tissue damage in the brain and potentially cause CSF leakage.

Common Causes of Concussions

Falling Down

A fall can cause the head to strike the ground or another object, leading to a concussion.

Being Hit in the Head

Contact sports or accidents can result in blows to the head, causing brain injury.

Automobile Accidents

A sudden stop or impact in a car crash can lead to the brain moving violently within the skull.

Exposure to Blasts or Explosions

Explosions can cause shockwaves that impact the brain, leading to a concussion.

Symptoms of Concussion

Memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance, and muscular coordination can all be affected by a concussion. People who have suffered a concussion frequently experience a brief period of amnesia or forgetfulness, during which they are unable to recall what occurred immediately before or after the incident. They may appear perplexed, dizzy, or describe "seeing stars."

Common Concussion Symptoms

Confusion

Difficulty understanding what is happening or remembering details.

Headache

A common symptom following a concussion, often persistent or worsening.

Unbalance or Dizziness

Feeling lightheaded or unstable, especially when moving or standing.

Vomiting or Nausea

Feeling sick to the stomach or actually vomiting after a head injury.

Ringing in the Ears

A sensation of buzzing or ringing sounds in the ears (tinnitus).

Concentration Problems

Difficulty focusing or processing information.

Light Sensitivity

Sensitivity to bright lights or glare, which can worsen symptoms.

Having Difficulty Falling Asleep

Trouble getting rest or staying asleep after the injury.

Concussions and TBIs

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury leads to a multitude of issues with seemingly unrelated symptoms. At its core, this results in neuroinflammation, which can cause psychological and cognitive issues, personality changes, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, and even gastrointestinal issues. At Upgrade PDX, our Medical Clinic in Portland, OR, we utilize the most cutting-edge therapies and protocols available.

How Is a Concussion Treated?

To recover from a concussion, you must relax both physically and mentally. Although you will require more rest and sleep than usual, you will not require complete rest. Instead of completely discontinuing activities, learn to identify the triggers that cause concussion symptoms. When symptoms appear, take a step back and rest. It is acceptable to engage in some activities that do not make you feel worse. Any activities that aggravate your symptoms should be avoided.

Can peptides help treat concussions?

Yes, peptides such as Cerebrolysin, Selank, and Semax have been shown to support neuroprotection by reducing brain inflammation and promoting nerve regeneration, aiding in a faster recovery from concussions.

Some activities to avoid include:

Texting or using a smartphone
Reading
Watching television
Playing video games
Listening to loud music
Engaging in physical activity

Treatment Options and Technologies at Upgrade PDX

At Upgrade PDX in Portland, OR, we offer advanced therapies to accelerate concussion recovery, including the following:

The Brain Boost: This includes pineleon / Thymulin / GHK which helps to reduce neuroinflammation and stimulates melatonin which, acts as an antioxidant, increases brain derived neurotrophic peptide and helps regulate the endocrine system.
Selank/Semax Cognitive Blend: In concussion therapy, peptides like Cerebrolysin, Selank & Semax, and Pineleon have been studied for their neuroprotective properties. They help by reducing brain inflammation and promoting nerve cell growth, which could support faster recovery from traumatic brain injuries. Study findings suggest peptides could be a valuable tool in sports recovery protocols. This combo enhances mood, improves focus, reduces brain fog, and acts as a non-sedating anxiolytic. It also modulates stress, helping the body to adapt, and improves working memory.

mHBOT

Mild Anoxic Brain Injury: Anoxic brain injury is a type of brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation. This can cause serious damage, as the brain depends on oxygen to function properly. In fact, brain cells without enough oxygen will begin to die after about six minutes. There are several ways someone could suffer anoxic brain damage. Nearly drowning, experiencing a decrease in oxygen flow to the brain due to a heart issue, and overdosing on drugs are just a few examples. The effects of an anoxic brain injury can range from balance issues, memory loss, vision problems, and/or loss of consciousness. The use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can promote healing by restoring oxygen levels, thus improving the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This can result in blood vessel growth and damaged tissue repair, among other benefits.

VieLight NeuroDuo

The loss of brain cells from brain injuries is a well-documented phenomenon. In moderate to severe cases of brain injuries, the generalized loss could amount to 5% of brain cells per year. These are cells that include those in the areas of the brain that affect cognition and memory functions. In a recent study, a professional hockey player with multiple concussions and generalized loss or atrophy of the brain cells was observed. These deficiencies were the results of injuries received during his hockey career. Professor Linda Chao of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) was the lead investigator in the study. The subject was treated with two Vielight transcranial-intranasal devices — the Neuro Gamma, followed by the Neuro Alpha, over a period of eight weeks. The results of this study showed improvements in learning, memory, executive functions, attention, and mental processing speed. This is a very significant finding because, for the first time ever, a study was able to show measurable growth of gray matter due to transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) in some important areas of the brain in a human. The growth was present in the hippocampus and thalamic areas.
The study provides significant evidence that PBM helps the brain to repair itself! Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the growth of neurons. In addition to the growth and repair of damage in the brain cells, the brain was observed to perform more efficiently. The study was published in the September issue of Frontiers in Neurology. Learn More

GammaCore

By harnessing the power of the vagal nerve, we can reduce chronic brain inflammation.

Recovery times vary, but many people experience symptom relief within a few days to weeks with proper rest and treatment. However, some may require longer recovery periods, especially if symptoms persist.