Last updated 1 year ago
A concussion is a brain injury that can result from a bump, blow or jolt to the head. The resultant injury may present in many different ways, but most often involves a headache and some change in ability to process information. Most commonly seen in children ages 7 to 17 who play contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse and wrestling; and in limited-contact or noncontact sports such as baseball, basketball, cheerleading and gymnastics, concussions are serious head injuries that must not be taken lightly.
“Concussions can be especially dangerous for youths and teens who experience repeated head injuries,” says David Braunreiter, M.D., board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine and credentialed as an ImPACT Concussion Consultant. “Often players return to a sport before they should, thinking there is nothing significantly wrong, or that a “bell-ringer” is not a serious injury. However, this is not true. The child’s brain is still growing and developing, so extra care in return to normal activities is imperative so as to prevent any long-term damage or cognitive impairment. The youth’s brain takes longer to recover from this injury than the adults, so we cannot assume that the same time frame we use for an adult is appropriate for children.”
SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION
Dr. Braunreiter cautions parents to watch for the following symptoms if their child suffers a head injury:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Blurry vision
- Headache (immediate and recurring)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty moving around (ataxia)
- Reaction to bright lighting
- Sensitivity to sounds
“Parents may also notice that their child has difficulty concentrating on homework, speech issues, sleep disturbances at night and general malaise or no energy,” shares Dr. Braunreiter. “Symptoms lasting longer than two weeks are called post concussive syndrome and a computed tomographic (CT) scan of the brain may be required at that point.”
TREATING HEAD INJURIES
If your child sustains a head injury, he or she should be pulled out of the game or practice and immediately sit down. “If unconscious, the child should not be moved,” says Dr. Braunreiter. “Usually an athletic trainer or physician is on-site to assist an injured child.” Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas physicians often serve as physicians on-site for most local high schools.
The main treatment for a head injury is to rest until symptom free. Use of computerized cognitive testing to assess for impairment is a critical part of helping determine the severity of the injury and when it appears to be safe to return to normal activities. For emergency attention, take your child to the Emergency Department at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.
INTRODUCING DAVID BRAUNREITER, M.D.
Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) welcomes Dr. David Braunreiter. He is dually certified in family medicine and sports medicine and completed his fellowship in sports medicine at The Cleveland Clinic. He is going on his sixth year as team physician for the Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer team and has also served as team physician for the Houston Texans, the University of Houston, and many Fort Bend and Houston area schools.
To make an appointment with Dr. Braunreiter or a MOST physician for a physical, sports injury evaluation or a follow-up visit, call 281-494-MOST (6678).
Saturday Sports Injury Clinic
Open to all athletes
August 20 - November 12, Saturdays 8 to 11 a.m.
1201 Brooks Street, Sugar Land
For more information, please call 832-584-9038.
Last updated 1 year ago
SUGAR LAND—(September 29, 2011) — Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and the Fort Bend Junior Service League have teamed up once again.
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the presenting sponsor of The Sugar Plum Market—a shopping extravaganza that you do not want to miss! This year, the Fort Bend Junior Service League has registered over 100 vendors to be present. Proceeds are donated to local charities in the Fort Bend community, providing the women in Sugar Land a great reason to shop all weekend. The Sugar Plum Market will be Friday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In an effort to educate the community about Breast Cancer and the importance of early detection, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will dedicate the Methodist Medical Minute trivia question on their Facebook page to the topic of Breast Cancer Awareness. Each Tuesday, leading up to the first week in November, we will post a trivia question on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Facebook page. By answering the trivia question your name will be automatically entered into the weekly drawing. The five chosen names will receive a pair of tickets to the 2011 Sugar Plum Market.
At the market, the Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will have a booth where women can schedule their mammogram. Since early detection is the best fight against Breast Cancer, we believe it is essential that we encourage the women in our community to have yearly mammograms.
Visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MethodistSugarLand, and answer the weekly Methodist Medical Minute trivia question for your chance to win!
Last updated 1 year ago
When your heart skips a beat, it’s usually because you’re nervous or excited or maybe even in love! But if a fluttering heart keeps you awake at night, there may be another cause for concern.
“Each time your heart beats, it’s the result of your heart muscles squeezing to pump blood to other parts of your body,” says Jie Cheng, M.D., board-certified electrophysiologist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Under normal circumstances, this happens between 60 and 100 times a minute. An occasional heart palpitation is usually harmless. But when your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or erratically, this abnormal heart rhythm is known as arrhythmia.”
When your heart beats too rapidly — that is, more than 100 beats a minute — this is known as tachycardia. A slower than normal heartbeat — that is, fewer than 60 beats per minute — is known as brachycardia. Premature beats, the most common type of arrhythmia, are benign and usually caused by caffeine and stress.
If you think you’re experiencing abnormal heartbeat, call your doctor. According to Dr. Cheng, “There are a number of tests that can be performed to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms, including:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) which records and measures the heart’s electrical impulses
- Holter Monitor, a portable monitor that ‘can keep an eye’ on the heart continuously for 24 to 48 hours
- Event Recorder, a transient event device that can monitor the heart for several weeks or months
- Stress EKG which is performed while you exercise, usually jogging on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.”
Other tests may include an echocardiogram, tilt table testing and invasive electrophysiologic studies that map the electrical system of your heart. Your doctor can advise which diagnostic procedure is most appropriate for you.
MANAGING ARRHYTHMIA
According to the American Heart Association, most arrhythmias are considered harmless and are left untreated. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with serious arrhythmia, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment. These may include:
- Medications may be used to prevent and control arrhythmias; to prevent or control blood clots; and to treat related conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and heart failure.
- Cardiac pacemakers are widely used to manage arrhythmia, and for more serious arrhythmia, doctors may suggest an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD). Other techniques include catheter ablation and cardioversion.
Finally, taking better care of yourself is the key to improving the condition of your heart and to living a healthy life. The American Heart Association suggests reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, losing excess weight, reducing stress and eating healthier. Cut back on salt, caffeine and alcohol, and if you smoke, quit. Regular exercise can also help reduce stress.
CAUSES OF ARRHYTHMIA
According to Dr. Cheng, common causes of arrhythmia include:
- Anxiety or stress
- Caffeine or nicotine use
- Fever and respiratory infection (especially pneumonia)
- Certain medications such as coldmedicines and asthma drugs
- Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
- Exercise
To make an appointment with Dr. Cheng or a cardiologist in your area, please call 281-274-7500.
Last updated 1 year ago
SUGAR LAND—(September 23, 2011)—A caregiver is someone who has taken on the very selfless role of caring for a loved one. Many times the caregiver has the great responsibility of making sure their loved one’s basic needs are met which requires work and dedication.
By taking care of his or her own needs, the caregiver will be able to better care for those who depend on them. Powerful Tools for Caregivers® is an education program to help family and friends caring for older adults with long-term health conditions. Powerful Tools helps caregivers develop skills and confidence to better care for their selves while caring for others.
The seminar consists of six classes, each of which focuses on different tools that caregivers can use to become caregivers for their selves as well as for their loved one. Class participant’s report they are better at caring for their selves; have fewer feelings of anger, guilt and depression; have increased confidence and ability to cope with the demands of care giving; and take greater advantage of community services.
This six-week course begins Monday, October 10 and runs through Monday, November 14, 2011. Classes are held for 2 hours every Monday from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Sweetwater Pavilion Chapel at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. To register, call the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Spiritual Care department at 281-274-7164 or email SNBowman@tmhs.org. Seating is Limited.
