How important are mitochondria when it comes to brain injuries?

ABC recently reported about TBI's among children.

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, Joe Detwiler spent two months in an induced coma and another two months relearning everything he knew before the injury. Although it was a life changing experience, the young boy has made an excellent recovery and believes he owes it all to his doctor, Jose Pineda.

Dr. Pineda is a pioneer in research for children who have experienced TBI’s. He believes it is critical to treat the mitochondria when such an injury occurs. Mitochondria are commonly referred to as the ‘power house.’ These organisms provide the majority of energy for cells in the brain. Dr. Pineda explains that when a TBI occurs, the mitochondria fail to do their job.

He believes this issue can be solved by giving patients medication which travels directly to the mitochondria in the brain. A similar treatment administered to adults is achieving awesome results. In fact, it has cut mortality by more than 60 percent and improved function within 30 days of the injury.

Let’s hope these promising results have a similar effect on children!

Wishing You a Healthy & Happy Holidays from the Injury Co-Op!

10 Healthy Holiday Tips

To keep you in shape through the feasting and festivities we'd like to share our tips for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season!
1. Just because you're out of town and can't go to the gym doesn't mean you can't work out. Think outside of the gift box. Get in your manual chair and push yourself around the mall while shopping for the perfect presents. Get some cardio in by doing punches from the chair. (This will also be helpful in case any Black Friday shoppers are still straggling around!)
2. Stay hydrated by consuming more water than usual. Your body actually uses more water in winter than in the summer because it takes a lot of energy to keep warm, and the heat generated to maintain a stable temperature uses up moisture. Avoid coffee and non-herbal tea as caffeine is dehydrating, and ditto with carbonated beverages like soda.
3. Keep warm by dressing in layers. Hats, scarves and multiple shirts and socks are good options . Avoid clothing with bulky belts, buttons or seams in the back, and make sure to pull the layers tight. Consistently check for any exposed skin. Shirts and jackets have a tendency to roll up on the back of wheelchairs.
4. Try to have a family member help you do Range Of Motion exercises daily. Colder temperatures cause muscles to tighten up and stretching will not only help reduce spasms, but will get blood flowing to warm up your lower limbs.
5. Protect that skin! Apply Vaseline to the areas of your face that are not going to be covered. It acts as a moisture insulator and helps prevent your face from getting dry or chapped in the cold, dry air.
6. Wash your hands. Remember, it is flu season! Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.
7. If you are going to be wheeling in rain, sleet or snow try to keep an extra pair of gloves with you so you can change them if the first pair gets wet.
8. Eat regularly. If you are going to a big dinner or Christmas Party, don't starve yourself all day in anticipation. You're in danger of arriving there feeling ravenous and eating everything in sight. Instead, have some low-fat, healthy snacks throughout the day. By doing this, you'll be less likely to over-indulge.
9. Use a smaller plate. Smaller plates mean smaller portions! So, you get to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation and not wind up being mistaken for Santa!
10. Most importantly, have fun! And, get ready to be AWEsome in 2012!  Have HaHavModfdgs

((





Is it possible to be un-paralyzed?

Monique van der Vorst lost feeling in her legs when she was a teenager. Fast forward 14 years and she’s competing for the Olympics….able bodied.

Two years ago, Monique was hit by a bicyclist while training for the 2012 Paralympics as a hand cyclist. After the accident, she began to regain feeling in her legs and a year later, she was walking again.

Doctors are dumbfounded because there is no medical explanation for this. However, no one can deny that her legs are fully functional!

College Students Change the Lives of Active Amputees

Ksby.com shares a story about Cal Poly students working together on a special project.

There’s nothing like selfless good deeds during the holiday season. A group of seniors at Cal Poly are going the extra mile to help amputees. The students work to give these amputees a chance to enjoy sports as they did before the injury. Through the non-profit organization, Quality of Life Plus, they create prosthetics that allow clients, usually wounded veterans, enjoy sports like golf, scuba diving and hockey. These prosthetics are customized to fit each amputee’s lifestyles and needs.

What’s selfless about this? The prosthetics are completely free. The members of Quality of Life Plus simply do this out of the goodness of their hearts. ’Tis the season!

Double Amputee Wins Silver Medal in Paratriathlon

When Andre Kajlich experienced a double amputation after a subway accident, doctors said that, even with prosthetics, he would never be able to walk again. Little did they know this survivor would accomplish something doctors never dreamed possible.

If Andre had learned to walk, doctors would have been happy and proud of his determination. But Andre had bigger goals in mind. And, he recently accomplished a BIG goal after he not only completed a paratriathlon in Beijing, but he won the silver medal. Take a look at the video from MSNBC below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy