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Alcohol Intoxication or Medical Issue?

Alcohol, trauma, or underlying medical condition? The legal limit of blood alcohol content is set by the US Department of Motor Vehicles at 0.08%. However, not everyone presents the same way clinically, as different individuals have different tolerance levels depending on their level of regular alcohol use. Even the liver eliminates alcohol from the body Read More...

Can someone consent after a head injury? {Mental Health/Toxicology}

Many times, a police officer will interview a defendant after a fight or a car wreck where the person being interviewed has suffered head trauma. What the police officer may not understand is that even mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) can affect a person’s ability to comprehend the questions being asked and the ramifications of Read More...

How is a concussion managed?

Conservative management of concussions is standard practice. Physical and cognitive rest is recommended for at least 24 hours pending cessation of symptoms. Gradual return to work, school, and physical activity is also endorsed. For a person with prolonged symptoms, reevaluation and treatment may be beneficial. (Evans, Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, 2013) Admission to Read More...

What is post-concussion syndrome?

One common consequence of concussion is the post-concussion syndrome (PCS), which is a group of symptoms that includes headache, dizziness, decreased concentration, memory problems, irritability, fatigue, visual disturbances, sensitivity to noise, judgment problems, depression, and anxiety. PCS is usually associated with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a concussion, but may also occur after Read More...

How is a concussion diagnosed?

The initial diagnosis of concussion is based on evaluation of the symptoms a person reports, or someone else observes, after sustaining the injury. Concussion is commonly divided into three different types: Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. The chart below distinguishes the features of each: ​ When a person exhibits evidence of brain dysfunction, Read More...