A physician with thirty-five years of experience treating people with brain injuries shares the latest research on concussions and best practices for care.

The explosion of attention to sports concussions has many of us thinking about the addled brains of our football and hockey heroes. But concussions happen to everyone, not just elite athletes. Children fall from high chairs, drivers and cyclists get into accidents, and workers encounter unexpected obstacles on the job. Concussions are prevalent, occurring even during everyday activities. In fact, in less time than it takes to read this sentence, three Americans will experience a concussion. The global statistics are no less staggering.

Shaken Brain offers expert advice and urgently needed answers. Elizabeth Sandel, MD, is a board-certified physician who has spent more than three decades treating patients with traumatic brain injuries, training clinicians, and conducting research. Here she explains the scientific evidence for what happens to the brain and body after a concussion. And she shares stories from a diverse group of patients, educating readers on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Few people understand that what they do in the aftermath of their injury will make a dramatic difference to their future well-being; patient experiences testify to the best practices for concussion sufferers and their caregivers. Dr. Sandel also shows how to evaluate risks before participating in activities and how to use proven safety strategies to mitigate these risks.

Today concussions aren't just injuries-they're big news. And, like anything in the news, they're the subject of much misinformation. Shaken Brain is the resource patients and their families, friends, and caregivers need to understand how concussions occur, what to expect from healthcare providers, and what the long-term consequences may be.

About the Author
Elizabeth Sandel, MD, is a medical director for Paradigm, which leads the workers' compensation industry in solving complex health-care challenges and improving lives. A Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, she is past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a panelist for the national Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines project.

Reviews
A fascinating page turner. Propelled by Dr. Sandel's exceptional storytelling and clinical expertise, Shaken Brain sheds light on the myths and misunderstandings surrounding concussions, and their consequential impact on so many lives. -- Marilyn Spivack, cofounder and past President, Brain Injury Association of America
A thoroughly engaging and enlightening account, this book explores the often perplexing issues and controversies surrounding post-concussion symptoms. A vital read. -- Mel Glenn, MD, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
I was a doctor in 2002 when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Even in my position, it was difficult to find information about post-concussive consequences and care. Shaken Brain fills in the gaps. Uniting clinical research, scientific data, and personal stories, this crucial resource is one that both physicians and their patients can look to for answers. -- Cheryle Sullivan, MD, author of Brain Injury Survival Kit
The first step to improving concussion care is improving concussion education. Whether you're an athlete, a parent, a medical professional, or none of the above, having the proper knowledge about what a concussion is and what to do when one is sustained can often be the difference between a quick recovery and a lengthy one. A book like Shaken Brain offers needed information. -- Brittni Souder, former soccer player and Board Member, PINK Concussions
Shaken Brain is frank, accessible, and authoritative-a crucial tool for sharing medical knowledge. Read this book if you are a traumatic brain injury survivor, a clinician, a family member, or simply interested in learning more about brain health. -- David Cifu, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the US Department of Veterans Affairs
A physician with over 25 years' experience studying and treating concussion details what happens in the human brain when it is injured, and how medical providers can help...Emphasizing that it isn't just athletes who need to worry, Sandel examines the high incidence of concussion among certain vulnerable populations, including the very young, elderly, homeless or impoverished, and victims of child abuse or domestic violence. To that end, she looks at prevention as a public health issue...Her expertly presented and researched work will be invaluable for anyone concerned about concussions. * Publishers Weekly *
I recommend Shaken Brain to anyone interested in a deeper, nuanced understanding of concussion/mild TBI. Dr. Sandel effortlessly conveys the information typically found in a textbook with the ease and style of a novelist. It is a valuable resource for patients who have experienced concussion and their families, as well as for the physicians, therapists, and scientists who have made it their life's work to help them. -- John Leddy * Brain Injury *



Book Information
ISBN 9780674987418
Author Elizabeth Sandel
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Harvard University Press
Publisher Harvard University Press