VB,

There are two different kinds of Second Impacts. One can be deadly, the other just causes more concussion symptoms. The differentiating factor is the condition of the brain at the time of the Second Impact. Any brain injury can cause the brain's pressure regulating system to malfunction. There are basically two systems, the blood flow and shunting system and the Cerebral Spinal Fluid system. The blood flow system is the more critical system.

When the blood flow system malfunctions, it can allow too much blood to flow through the brain and at too high of a blood pressure for the brain. Minor amounts of this malfunction are common and can be the cause of head aches and other PCS symptoms. If this system is severely disrupted and not given time to heal before a Second Impact, the blood pressure in the brain can become dangerously high, even to the point of death.

Snow Boarder Kevin Pearce suffered such a Second Impact. He was kept in a coma to give his brain time to regain this function. He suffered damage from this excessive pressure in the brain. Second Impact Syndrome is the primary issue with Computerized Neurocognitive Testing used by many sports teams. The thinking is that if the brain has recovered cognitive and reaction skills, it likely has recovered sufficiently enough to tolerate a Second Impact.

It sounds like you suffered much less than a dangerous Second Impact.

The symptoms of a dangerous Second Impact are loss of consciousness, intense head aches, losses of motor skills and/or symptoms similar to a stroke. They require emergency hospitalization, preferably at a trauma hospital.

There is also Multiple Impact Syndrome. This is just a loose term for an accumulation of prolonged PCS symptoms after multiple impacts over time. I suffer from Multiple Impact Syndrome and do not expect my symptoms to ever recover. MIS may eventually develop into CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) if the proper precautions and lifestyle changes are not taken.

So, rest easy, slow down and give yourself a break.

My best to you.