Everyone should be aware of the grave risks of multiple injuries. Primary head injury can be catastrophic, but the effects of repetitive head injuries can be quite serious. Second-impact syndrome (SIS), a term coined in 1984, describes a situation in which an individual sustains a second head injury before the symptoms from the first head injury have resolved.
A person with a history of repeated mild TBIs or concussions may:
- Experience a longer recovery or more severe symptoms.
- Have long-term problems, including ongoing problems with concentration, memory, headache, and occasionally, physical skills, such as keeping one’s balance.
Currently, a great deal of attention to the effects of repeated brain injury centers around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive and fatal brain disease. Learn more about CTE on the CDC Website.