There is nothing ‘mild’ about a mild traumatic brain injury, especially when we’re talking about kids. This is something we at Hennepin Healthcare have known for years. And we also know that the number of children getting mild traumatic brain injuries, more commonly referred to as concussions, are on the rise. (more…)
Integrative Medicine is defined as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It is medical care where the provider partners with the patient in the healing process. Dr. Kara Parker has brought this type of healing to Whittier Clinic.
Four ways that Integrative Medicine benefits patients is by:
The goal of integrative medicine is not to help you get rid of your symptoms, but to address the true cause behind them. The belief is that by combining therapies, patients will not only see results faster, but they will find more lasting results. (more…)
Was Rip lazy, shiftless, irresponsible or suffering from a sleep disorder?
The 300 year old Rip Van Winkle legend describes a major, (protracted) sleep episode. Legend has it that Rip went for a walk in the woods with his dog and his hunting rifle to escape his nagging wife. High in the Catskill Mountains, he encountered a strange little man carrying a large barrel. Rip gave the man a hand and was given a drink from the barrel as thanks. Rip fell asleep and woke to find his dog gone, his rifle rusty and falling apart, his clothes in tatters and his appearance a mess.
Once he made it back to town he discovered his wife had died 20 years previously, and his small children were now grown.
Was Rip lazy, shiftless, irresponsible or suffering from a sleep disorder? (more…)
“Dear neurosurgery team and ICU nurses@ Hennepin Healthcare,
I was hospitalized September 20, 2017 after suffering from a subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm and stroke. I spent two weeks in the ICU.
I really can’t thank all of you enough! I wish I knew each of your names! I know that my personality in the ICU was challenging and at times extremely rude. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent care you provided…. and for putting up with me! Haha
I have continued to thrive and build my strength pretty much back to normal. However as TBI survivors we are altered for life and never unscathed…. I hope you enjoy my story!” (more…)
Think strokes just happen to seniors? Think again. A stroke was the last thing healthy Sten Anderson thought would happen to him at the young age of 24. But it did.
This May, being Stroke Awareness Month, you should be aware that a stroke can happen at any time, at any age and even to perfectly healthy people. Sten felt a major headache come on while running on his treadmill and, although there can be different signs of stroke, there are four main ones. Educate yourself because in the case of stroke – time is critical. From the onset of a stroke to the arrival at the emergency room, damage can be minimized the quicker you get there. Move F.A.S.T.
Sten was lucky, but it wasn’t without determination and lots of work. The Hennepin Stroke Center and the Knapp Rehabilitation Center were a big part of his young life. Read Sten’s story.
Guest Blogger: Kary Briner, Hennepin Healthcare Traumatic Brain Injury Center Coordinator
March… Longer days, warmer weather, a hint of spring in the air, and of course, Brain Injury Awareness Month. We at Hennepin Healthcare’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center invite you to take a moment to think about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its impact on people. Listed below are ideas on how you can learn more about the injury, how they are treated, prevented and, most importantly, recognize those who are affected.
1) Know the numbers. Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of Americans every year. 2.8 million per year by some counts [i]. In addition, TBI contributes to roughly 30% of all deaths due to injuries[ii]. There are currently over 100,000 Minnesotans living with a disability due to brain injury[iii]. While the cost for care and loss of productivity of these injuries is high; the personal and emotional toll to those who are injured and their families is immeasurable.
2) Prevent. Prevention means a lot more than wearing a helmet or avoiding the football field. It does make a difference and it doesn’t always have to be complicated. There are many minor changes that each of us can take every day to make ourselves, our loved ones, or even a complete stranger safer. Making sure to never drive distracted or under the influence, taking care not to drive at speeds in excess of what is safe for the weather or road conditions. Ensuring yourself and everyone in the car is properly restrained, every time. Taking extra caution and time while walking on icy sidewalks, and helping others do the same. Wearing a helmet when doing any activity that involves moving faster than your two legs can carry you. And overall, taking an extra moment to think about safety in activities that many do every day.
3) Learn. If you work with individuals with brain injuries, take a few minutes this month to increase your knowledge on the subject. Watch a webinar, attend a conference or seminar, read a journal article, or seek out a colleague with knowledge on the topic. Or check out resources online; such as the Brain Trauma Foundation, the CDC, or our own website. Our very own Brain Injury Research Lab also has incredibly exciting, cutting edge research.
4) Get involved. This one might be a bit of a stretch for most, and that’s OK. But some of you might decide to do more. Volunteer your time, donate money or resources, or lend your support. There are other options as well, including our friends at the MN Brain Injury Alliance, who do amazing work every day to support individuals who live with this injury.
5) Honor. Contemplate, just for a moment, what it would be like to live with a brain injury. Think about how you would feel if your life, or that or someone you love, changed in an instant. What if you were unable to do your job? If your relationships with your friends and family were altered, or if you were unable to do the things that you love, even for just a few weeks? Brain injuries, even those classified as mild, can and do change lives in an instant. Ultimately, all of the new exciting developments and our desire to do more while doing better, are driven by our continued effort to honor those affected by this injury affected.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how you could get involved, please reach out. By phone: 612-873-3284; e-mail: Kary.Briner@hcmed.org; or go to our website. Your brain, or someone else’s, will thank you.
Kary Lehman Briner, LICSW
Traumatic Brain Injury Center Coordinator
Hennepin Healthcare
[i] Data from the CDC.
[ii] Data from the CDC.
[iii] Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
Overcoming major orthopedic trauma is tough for anyone, even Mathieu Vezies who was healthy, athletic, and ready to take on the world. A bike-truck accident the summer after his high school graduation brought Mathieu months of pain, rehabilitation and a focus on his health and recovery after major orthopedic surgeries. It knocked him off his game for a while but, with the help of the staff at HCMC and the rehabilitating program at Knapp, Mathieu’s planned first college semester was changed only slightly. He stayed at home with his family, rehabilitating and taking his first semester college classes online. With such an amazing recovery, Mathieu was able to head off to college for the following spring semester.
“I spent ten days in intensive care and then two weeks as an inpatient in the Knapp Rehabilitation Center. The staff was amazing and really cared about my recovery. They helped me believe in myself. I had several surgeries, have a rod in my femur, and spent three months in a wheelchair.” But Mathieu is thankful and ready to take on the world. Read his story.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. Although SAD can occur for some people in the summer, it is most common in the late fall or winter months. SAD is also referred to as “the winter blues”, although it’s important to see your doctor if it becomes serious.
Symptoms of the winter blues and SAD –
