What Is Second Impact Syndrome?

Bed rest is an important part of the recovery process after sustaining a brain injury. Staying home, resting and getting proper nutrition are often the only treatments a doctor can recommend for a brain injury such a concussion. It is up to you to follow the doctor’s orders and rest while your brain tries to heal. If you continue to participate in activities that could put you at risk of another head injury, such as sports, you could receive a second brain injury before the first fully heals. Medics refer to this as second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome can be severe and deadly for patients.

The Mechanics of Second Impact Syndrome

Second impact syndrome is the outcome of repetitive head injuries. Receiving multiple head injuries in a short span of time could damage the brain more than just one injury. A second impact could make things much worse for the victim while the brain is still trying to heal from the initial impact. Second impact syndrome can cause the brain to swell rapidly, resulting in serious and often fatal symptoms.

• Respiratory failure
• Repeated vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Increased confusion
• Weakness or numbness in the limbs
• Bladder or bowel incontinence
• Uncontrollable cerebral spinal fluid pressure
• Severe edema (swelling of the brain)
• Brain herniation
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizure

A brain already in a vulnerable state could suffer immediate and severe damage after a second impact. Although second impact syndrome is rare, this type of brain injury could have many negative consequences for a victim. Second impact syndrome requires immediate emergency medical intervention. The victim may need surgery or other treatments right away to relieve swelling or bleeding in the brain. Many victims lose their lives due to second impact syndrome. If the victim survives swelling in the brain, he or she could have permanent brain damage and related disabilities.

How to Avoid Second Impact Syndrome

A subsequent impact on top of an existing brain injury does not have to be strong to trigger swelling in the brain and cause second impact syndrome. The first concussion or injury has already compromised the brain’s ability to function correctly. Brain cell damage or death may have already occurred, as well as some swelling or bleeding. A second impact of any caliber could trigger a chain reaction in the brain that leads to rapid swelling, serious complications or death. Even a blow near the head, such as to the chest or back, could move the brain inside of the skull enough to cause second impact syndrome.

The best way to avoid second impact syndrome is by obeying your doctor’s orders and staying home after receiving a concussion or brain injury diagnosis. If your physician recommends bed rest or abstinence from activities that could further injure your brain, such as exercise or sports, take these warnings seriously. It is also important to see a doctor and receive a diagnosis for the initial brain injury to avoid second impact syndrome. After an accident or incident that impacts your head, do not assume you are uninjured. Even if you do not notice symptoms right away, the accident may have hurt your brain.

Common brain injury symptoms include blackouts, memory loss, disorientation, headaches, light/sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and mood changes. If you think you might have a concussion, see a doctor without delay. Obtaining an official diagnosis could put you on a treatment plan and make you aware of the risks of a second impact. Once you know you have a head injury, you can be more careful to avoid a second one while you heal. It is always better to prevent second impact syndrome than to treat it after the brain is already injured.