9.1.2) Concussion
Your ability to recover normally from concussion
Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury and are usually a result of a sudden direct blow or bump to the head. During an injury, the brain is pushed against the wall of the skull which can cause bruising, swelling, nerve tissue damage and alter the balance of ions and chemicals in the brain. Nerve fibers that are injured can recover however there are some injuries which are too severe, and these nerves then lose their ability to communicate permanently.
Those who experience a concussion might feel pressure in the brain, headaches, loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, fogginess, nausea and/or vomiting. Delayed symptoms include sensitivity to noise and light, concentration issues, sleep disturbances and personality changes.
The APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene helps control the cholesterol in the brain and can affect the way neurons are repaired. Individuals who have a variation in the APOE gene may be more prone to concussion and have more severe, longer lasting concussion effects.
It is common to have variations in this panel. Please note that two of the gene SNPs work in combination. Please refer to your results and the table in Alzheimer’s to assess your risk for the combined genes.
If you have a variation in this panel you may want to do the following to improve your health:
- Should you experience a concussion, seek immediate help. There are many new brain protocols to support healing and recovery.
- Exercising regularly can strengthen muscles and improve balance, preventing accidental falls.
- Wear the right equipment for the right activity such as helmets. You may wish to avoid contact sports that have a higher risk for head injury.
An example of a gene that has been associated with ability to recover normally from concussion is:
APOE: Plays many important roles in the body, including transporting cholesterol and cholesterol-like molecules, including beta-amyloid, in and out of cells.