What is second impact?
 

Hello all,

Just looking for information on how exactly second impact is defined. Last night I slipped on ice and fell, breaking my fall with my arm. I feel tenderness in the neck and in the left side of my face (headache, jaw sore, etc.). I did not hit my head, thank God. Today I am tired, really tired, and foggy brained. That could be due to some of the activities I did this weekend (a restaurant, a birthday party, super bowl party) combined with the fall. Or, it may be the fall all by itself if second impact syndrome could really be defined this way. I was feeling pretty good the days leading up to the weekend. Your opinion as to whether I've had a "second impact" or just too much stimulation.

Thanks,

VB

Hey Vanilla Bean, second impact syndrome is when one sustains a second head injury while healing from an initial concussion. For reasons still not completely understood, rapid brain swelling(edema) ensues leading to herniation (sliding) of vulnerable parts of the brain into neighboring compartments (not a good thing). The condition is often fatal. Given that you had the time to write this post suggests to me that you shouldn't worry about second impact syndrome. Just go easy on the grog at parties so you don't re-injure! Cheers, Canadoc

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.

Thanks for the clarifications. I am sure that I did not have as severe a reaction as what is Second Impact Syndrome. If anything I believe it strained my muscles more, and perhaps played with the blood flow which is causing slightly more powerful headaches. I am going to take it easy and already it has been helping a lot.