Foggy Brain? – Whiplash Injuries and Concussion can Lead to Brain Fog

Brain fog is a frequently reported symptom that has been gaining more and more attention in the world of research. It is commonly reported by people who have suffered whiplash or concussion injuries and it is associated with an extended recovery time. 1

What is Brain Fog?

“Brain fog” is a collection of symptoms including reduced cognition and mental acuity, loss of short and long term memory and the inability to multitask or concentrate. 2

Whiplash injury and Brain fog

A whiplash injury takes place when the neck and head undergo sudden or excessive rotation, hyperflexion or hyperextension that affects the soft tissues of the neck. Someone who has suffered a whiplash injury usually complains of pain, a stiff neck, upper backache and headache. When the symptoms refuse to go away for a period of more than 3 months, the condition becomes known as “Chronic whiplash syndrome”. Some other symptoms of whiplash injury include numbness, paraesthesia, vertigo, blurred vision, lethargy, dysphagia and brain fog. 3

Concussion and Brain fog

The symptoms following a concussion injury may vary from person to person and from episode to episode. Therefore, in order to diagnose such an injury accurately, someone who has suffered a blow to the head (even a mild blow) should be thoroughly assessed for the symptoms and signs of concussion. After being concussed, the person may present with many post-concussion symptoms or perhaps with only one of the symptoms following a concussion injury. 1

The signs of post-concussive syndrome include the following:

The symptoms of post-concussive syndrome include the following:

The underlying mechanism through which neck injuries can lead to brain fog

The brain uses information from the eyes and ears (vestibular system) and the neck to keep constant track of the head’s position in space. Injury of the neck muscles may lead to an imbalance and this leads to the confusion of the information that is sent to the brain. The confusion results in post-concussion symptoms like brain fog amongst other symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, decreased cognitive functioning and sensitivity to sounds and light. 4

This shows that a neck injury does not simply affect the muscles of the neck, it has a profound influence on what information is received by the brain and that is how a neck injury like whiplash can lead to brain fog.

Get rid of that foggy feeling

Has brain fog perhaps rendered you disabled? Are you tired of that foggy feeling in your head? The time has come to deal with it, because you simply can’t allow it to take over your life. Call Brain Hub today on 1300 770 197 to get treatment for the lasting complications of whiplash injury and concussion.

 

References:

  1. Reddy CC, Collins MW, Gioia GA. Adolescent sports concussion. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2008 May 31; 19(2): 247-69.
  2. Theoharides TC, Stewart JM, Hatziagelaki E, Kolaitis G. Brain “fog,” inflammation and obesity: key aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders improved by luteolin. Front Neurosci. Jul 2015; vol. 9(225): 2-11.
  3. Tameen A, Kapur S, Mutagi H. Whiplash injury. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain. 2013.
  4. Ellis MJ, Leddy JJ, Willer B. Physiological, vestibulo-ocular and cervicogenic post-concussion disorders: an evidence-based classification system with directions for treatment. Brain injury. 2015 Jan 28; 29(2): 238-48.

 

 

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