Protecting Your Brain Cells

Hi! My name is Caitlin and I am one of the lucky recipients of a free entry to the Chicago Lifetime Sprint Triathlon courtesy of this here awesome bike shop. My sister is too! Check out her post about Triathlons below. But now, how about a story?

It was a misty, cool day in October when I was riding my bike on the lakefront trail to get to a Neuroscience conference at McCormick Place. Suddenly, there was a large group of walkers blocking the path without an easy way to get around them (groannnnn). BUT being the awesome lakefront biker that I am, I tried to pull a quick move to the right, across the grass to a nearby path that would take me straight to the conference center. I made it about 4 feet – to the ground. Turns out there was a one-inch ledge between the path and the grass that I didn’t see that prevented a smooth transition. I probably got a concussion that day, but fortunately I was wearing my helmet so my head did not crack open (yay!).

Here are some things you might not know about concussions:

Concussions are caused by any sort of jolt or blow to the head and usually do notcause the person to lose consciousness.
Brain cells are special. They do not regenerate quickly and therefore concussions should not be treated just like bruises to another part of the body. At least 2 weeks of rest is needed for a full recovery.
If you get one concussion, you are at an increased risk of getting another. So if you suspect a concussion, make sure to REST and avoid anything that might cause another concussion for at least 2 weeks while your slow brain cells heal.
Symptoms of concussions are different for everyone – from slight “fuzziness” without pain to noticeable confusion and headache. They can slow your reaction times or sense of balance.
If you suspect a serious concussion, head to the Emergency Room. They may just give you some meds and tell you to rest and they may decide it’s more serious, so it is good to go get their expert opinion.

I’ve always been a fan of helmets, but now that I’m getting my Masters of Nursing and have seen what can happen when you’re NOT wearing one, I think I can call myself a true Helmet Cheerleader. While helmets can’t completely prevent concussions, they can help prevent serious brain injury, fractures to the skull and gashes to the head – and even save your life. I was pretty sure I was one of the safest bikers in Chicago, and mine still was put to good use.

Convinced that you need one? Great! Here’s how to wear it so it will protect your brain:

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