Mark,

Thank you for the message. When I have asked my doctors about my super lower cholesterol, most tend to shrug it off and say that they don't know of any conditions associated with low cholesterol. I think most doctors have this reaction because they hadn't studied it med school for whatever reason (possibly b/c having super low cholesterol is very rare). I see some articles online now suggesting that researchers are finding a link between low cholesterol and brain disorders like dementia and alzheimers. It appears that some cholesterol is necessary to perform critical functions in the brain on a cellular level. I've also seen some indication that low cholesterol may be linked to liver problems, thyroid problems, and mood disorders.

In light of this, I am making a conscious effort to eat a little more bacon for breakfast to get myself closer to the normal range.

I am also getting my blood work done the first week of every month for the rest of the summer to keep an eye on things.

Thanks for your input.
Nimrod

Perhaps a little explanation might clarify some confusion about cholesterol and dementia. First off, dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses several types of diseases that lead to neurocognitive decline. The 2 most common are Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia. Although the outcome is quite similar, the mechanism of disease is very different. Whereas Alzheimer's involves the deposition of "amyloid-beta" plaques and tangles in the brain, vascular dementia stems from the blood supply to parts of the brain being choked off by "clogged" or damaged blood vessels. They can also co-exist.

Cholesterol particles exist in several forms in our bodies. Some of these particles promote the deposition of "plaque" inside the blood vessels and "clog" them up (low-density lipoprotein or LDL, very low-dendity lipoprotein or VLDL, etc). Some particles do the exact opposite and are protective (high density lipoprotein or HDL).

Generally, when people refer to their "cholesterol levels", they mostly talk about the "bad" cholesterol. It is this type of cholesterol that is lowered (diet, supplements, medication) in the hopes of slowing down the progression of cognitive decline in those who suffer from vascular dementia.

However, a LOW "good" cholesterol can also have implications regarding an increased risk of premature vascular or blood vessel disease. So doing things to increase your "good" cholesterol, if it is indeed low, makes sense. Regular exercise is one of several ways. Unfortunately, eating more bacon, as you proposed, just won't cut it!

Bottom line, find out which cholesterol particle is LOW. If it's the "bad" kind, then thank your parents for passing on good genes. If it's the "good" kind, then find ways to stay aerobically active among other things.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Canadoc

Hi all,

Although I haven't posted much on this forum, I have been an avid follower learning along the way. I'm very blessed to have learned a lot from this site and have seen continued improvements. The concussion world is a ever changing confusing topic (pun intended .)

Quick recap- My concussion was on Oct 26, 2013 playing rugby, I whip-lashed and hit the back of my head. I suffered from PCS for a little over 8 months now. Been through a number of symptoms including Depression/Anxiety/Headaches/Exhaustion/etc. I have never suffered like this and I have a new level of sympathy for others who deal with these same problems.

I'm close to having my life back to what it was pre-concussion. No more depression, I've been staying positive, no anxiety, and fewer headaches.

One thing in particular has been stressing me out. I haven't been able to work out. I'm not trying to max out lifts or become the world's strongest man, but slowly get back into having the ability to life (I've been starting with 1/10 the weight I used to lift). It's been a cat and mouse game. If I don't do anything I feel like I'm getting stagnant and losing weight/strength, if I hit the limit where I did too much it's an immediate 1-2 week set back.

I am wondering if anyone else has this same problem. It sounded like Canadoc mentioned his inability to lift without raising the ICP levels. I can relate, it feels like a throbbing headache and is definitely my brains way to tell me to take it easy.

I'm just looking for people who are dealing with this same type of problem and/or people who have been through this and saw improvements. What have you done, other than rest, to get back into this.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or stories.

Continued healing to all on here, B.

This is the one symptom whose cause remains elusive to me. I've spent a lot of time thinking about possible mechanisms. I always seem to come back to the notion that there must be an acquired maladaptive response to handling rising intracranial pressure (such as the case with a valsalva manoeuver) in some people after a mTBI or that there is a heightened sensitivity to ICP even in the physiologic ranges. The other questions is whether the problem stems from the arterial or venous side of the cerebral vascular system, or both.

I have been trying to figure things out from the venous side given that the pressure is definitely related to straining. One of the things I'm trying to figure out is the adaptive response in a "normal" brain when someone in turned upside down for a prolonged period of time. In this situation, cerebral venous hydrostatic pressure rises quickly which must drive fluid out of the vessel and into the interstitial space of the brain. How does the brain cope with this fluid shift on the short term such that homeostasis is maintained? What leads to this homeostatic mechanism to eventually falter over time if the upside down position isn't eventually corrected? Perhaps there is similarity is what occurs after an mTBI. Just wondering out loud.
Anyone with theories?

My concussion doc is outstanding and, in general, he doesn't recommend weightlifting (beyond light-to-very-moderate weights). Too much strain on the brain.

And, of course, people in the acute phase of recovery should not be doing any lifting of consequence.