Contact Information: CONTACT: Jodi Ritacca Organizational Communications HealthEast Care System 651-232-6410 Email Contact
New Treatment for Teens Who Suffer Concussions
| Source: HealthEast Care System
ST. PAUL, MN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 6, 2007 -- Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota is
launching the first-of-its-kind clinic in the Midwest to treat young
people, especially athletes, who are injured with a concussion. Concussions
can occur from a sports injury, car accident, fall or any blow to the head.
Bethesda Hospital is considered the Midwest expert in Traumatic and
Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation with its inpatient programs. The new
convenient, one-day clinic will offer treatment by experts who work with
brain injury everyday, including physicians, neuro-psychologists and
therapists.
"We are very excited to be able to offer this new Bethesda Concussion
Clinic to the young people in our community, who are at risk for brain
injuries," said Frank Indihar, MD, CEO Bethesda Hospital. "If an athlete
returns to action too quickly and receives another blow, the results can
result in headaches, inability to concentrate in school, memory loss and
mood change."
The Brain Injury Association of Minnesota estimates that 94,000 Minnesotans
are living with a disability because of a brain injury. One of the groups
at highest risk for a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI is teens ages 15-19
years old. Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI.
The American College of Sports Medicine estimates that roughly 85 percent
of concussions suffered go undiagnosed. Medical experts say it takes
children longer than adults to recover from a concussion.
Sports where concussions and brain injuries frequently occur include
football, soccer, boxing, skiing, snowboarding, baseball, skateboarding and
horseback riding. In any given football season, ten percent of all college
players and 20 percent of all high school players sustain brain injuries.
Concussions are mild brain injuries with symptoms that can include memory
loss, trouble paying attention, impaired judgment, headaches, seizures,
anxiety, depression and impulsive behavior.
Bethesda Hospital is located at 559 Capitol Blvd in St. Paul, Minnesota. To
schedule an appointment at the Bethesda Concussion Clinic call
651-326-4323.
HealthEast Care System is a community-focused, non-profit health care
system that provides a full spectrum of health services with compassionate
care and cutting-edge technology. Hospitals include Bethesda Hospital, St.
John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Woodwinds Health Campus. As
financial stewards in the community, HealthEast is the largest, locally
owned health care provider in the Twin Cities' East Metro, with 7,000
employees and more than 1,400 physicians on staff.