The Athlete's Guide to Brain Health

If you are looking for help after a brain injury, please review the below information. Your next step will be to contact us, and we will set you up as a recipient. This is a completely free offering we gift to the community, and you will not be charged for our services.

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Pre-season: Evaluations

History: Being honest when evaluating the number of concussions you may have sustained is crucial. Have you ever felt disoriented or had a headache after a wipeout? These symptoms may be signs of a concussion. To properly assess your concussion history, it's recommended to schedule an appointment with a chiropractic neurologist and consider diagnostic testing, such as a SPECT scan, VNG, or a specialized EEG. For Central California and Oahu, become a recipient today.

Treatments: After your evaluation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), chiropractic care, and nerve stimulation may be recommended. It is essential to address your concussive load BEFORE starting a new session to reduce the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and to ensure that your brain is well-prepared for any potential concussions that may occur during the upcoming season.

Helmets: While helmets cannot entirely prevent concussions, they can reduce the impact and help mitigate the damage to the brain. However, it's crucial to ensure that the helmet fits correctly, as an ill-fitting helmet can exacerbate whiplash and cause more harm during a head impact. Therefore, choosing a helmet that fits snugly and provides adequate protection for the intended activity is essential. Hard helmets are recommended for small waves, while soft rugby-like helmets are preferred for big-wave surfing as they can better absorb the impact.

Please see Inertia’s 2023 helmet review for helmet brands: Click here.

Before a Potential Hit: PREPARATION

If you choose to participate in an activity that carries the risk of head injury, such as surfing, it is impossible to avoid the possibility of a concussion altogether. Nonetheless, taking proactive steps can reduce the likelihood of sustaining a concussion and optimize your overall brain health.

Diet & Hydration: Dehydration makes the brain more injury-prone, including concussions. To boost brain health, include nutrient-rich foods like Omega-3s, antioxidants, and complex carbs. Stay hydrated with water, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks. Prioritize brain-supporting foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, berries, and whole grains while staying hydrated. For hydration tips, visit our hydration page, and for more food ideas, check out our nutrition page.

Movement: Engaging in physical activity before a potential concussion is important, as it promotes increased blood flow to the brain and delivers more oxygen to this vital organ. Therefore, moving your body in the lead-up to a potential head injury, such as the day before a swell, is recommended. This could include jogging, cycling, or yoga, which can help boost blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.

Treatment: Studies reviewed on our HBOT page suggest that undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) before a concussion may help mitigate its effects. While HBOT will not prevent a concussion, it has been found to potentially lessen the damage caused by the injury if administered before impact.

HitKit: It will be essential to have your game plan if you sustain a brain injury. This includes knowing what treatments/doctors to see after a brain injury & having your HitKit. Your HitKit will be in your car, ready when you paddle in. It will include:

  • MCT oil is a type of dietary fat that can be easily converted into ketones, providing an alternative energy source for the brain. Studies have shown that MCT oil supplementation can improve cognitive function, memory, and attention in individuals with brain injuries. MCT oil also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect brain cells and reduce inflammation after injury.

  • Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help protect the brain from damage and inflammation and support collagen production and the immune system.

  • Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced by the body and helps protect neurons from oxidative stress and supports essential cellular functions.

  • 8 oz water bottle with sugar-free electrolytes. Dehydration can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.Drinking enough water and fluids can help maintain optimal brain hydration levels and support the body's natural healing processes.

  • Omega-3s reduce inflammation, promote nerve cell repair and growth, and improve cognitive function. Unfortunately, Omega deoxidizes quickly, so the best way to take them is through high-quality fish oil supplements rich in EPA and DHA, the two most important types of omega-3s for brain health.

After the brain injury: Healing

Rule Out Bleed:

It will be imperative for you to rule out a bleed in your brain after a brain injury. We recommend doing both of the following:

  1. Neurological exam: A neurological exam can be conducted by a healthcare professional to check for signs of a bleed in the brain, such as changes in consciousness, abnormal eye movements, or weakness on one side of the body. The exam may also include tests to evaluate cognitive function, balance, and reflexes.

  2. Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, can provide a more detailed view of the brain and detect any bleeding or other abnormalities. CT scans are often used initially to quickly identify whether bleeding is present, while MRI scans may be more helpful in detecting subtle changes in the brain. Please note that CT and MRIs will NOT show a brain injury; they will be used to rule out a bleed. For imaging that will show a brain injury, see our testing page.

Treatments:

Once a brain bleed is ruled out, seeking treatment as soon as possible is the most important thing. Several factors will determine which treatments will be ideal for your recovery: your history of concussions, current location, current symptoms, and financial ability.

It is entirely free to become a recipient of Healing Brainwaves; we will help you navigate your brain healing options at no cost. Click here to start the process.

Lifestyle:

To prioritize brain health after a brain injury, it is important to make lifestyle changes such as consuming brain-healthy foods and supplements, staying adequately hydrated, incorporating regular exercise, prioritizing sleep, and avoiding inflammatory triggers.

Proper hydration: Drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of water and electrolytes daily plus 20 additional ounces. If you weigh 100lb, you will drink half your weight in oz (50oz) plus 20oz = 70oz of water daily. You will also want to add in daily electrolytes. See our hydration page for more info.

Supplements: You will want to add Omega-3s (3,000 mg per day), Glutathione (one serving per day), MCT oil ( 1 TBS x 3 daily), Vitamin C (3,000 mg per day), NAC (one serving per day) CoQ10 (one serving per day) For more information on supplementation see our page. If money is available, going to an IV center would be ideal. More details on IV centers

Eating organic with lots of veggies and meats. Don’t let yourself become hungry. For more information on brain-healthy diets, see our page.

Avoid inflammatories: No sugar, gluten, alcohol, or marijuana. No smoking of any type. Switch from coffee to green tea. For more information on what to avoid, see our page.

Sleep: Let yourself sleep as much as you need. If you have difficulty sleeping, see our page on resetting your circadian rhythm.

Stimuli: Do not avoid things like light, sound, or stimuli UNLESS your brain cannot handle them. Do not sit in a dark room; recent studies have shown this method does not help the brain recover. Meet your brain with what it is capable of handling.

Movement: You will want to go for light walks, nothing strenuous, to increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain. 20-minute walks are suggested.

Glucose: You will want to maintain blood sugar levels, so prioritize protein at meals and eat snacks like nuts between meals.

Please refer to our lifestyle page for more information on implementing these changes.

Mental Health

Brain injuries can trigger complex emotions like depression, anger, and irritation, partly due to chemical and metabolic changes within the brain cells. Particularly concerning is the increased risk of suicide post-injury, especially for individuals grappling with preexisting depression and anxiety, as these chemical shifts can intensify preexisting mental health illnesses. Seeking comprehensive care and support before and after a brain injury is crucial. For resources on mental health treatments, please see our Mental Health Page.