Episode 44

Do I Have A Concussion? (with Beth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, MPH)

Most of us have taken a blow to the head at some point in our lives. Maybe we got elbowed during a pickup basketball game, or smacked our heads on the tailgate when taking groceries out of the back of the car. We see stars. We have a headache. We feel a little out of it for awhile.

Is this a concussion? How do I know? Is that bad? What should I do? Who should I call?

Thankfully we have Beth Pieroth, PsyD,ABPP, MPH! 

  • Dr. Pieroth is the Director of the Concussion Program at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH, she has assessed concussion in the National Hockey League since 1997. 
  • She is the Head Injury/Concussion specialist for the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox, Fire, and the National Women’s Soccer League, many colleges and high schools across Illinois. 
  • Co-Director of the NFL Neuropsychology Consulting Program. 
  • On the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Illinois 

Long story short, Dr. Pieroth has been in the concussion game for a MINUTE and is here to set the record straight when things feel a little wobbly...

Topics in this episode include:

What actually IS a concussion?

What are typical signs and symptoms of a concussion?

Who should people seek care from and what time frame after they suspect they might have a concussion? (ER, PCP, Neuropsychologist like Dr. Pieroth??)

Do all people with suspected concussion need imaging like a CT scan?

Do you need to lay in a dark room for days after you have a concussion?

Do helmets prevent concussions?

What is "second impact syndrome"? How prevalent is this phenomenon?

What are some cool things on the horizon that can aid in diagnosis and management of concussions?

Check out Dr. Pieroth's TedX Chicago Talk!

You can find more info about Dr. Pieroth here as well :)


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About the Podcast

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About your hosts

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Jeremy Alland

Dr. Jeremy Alland is a sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH, a renowned, consistently top-10 nationally-ranked orthopedic practice in Chicago, IL. In addition to a busy clinical practice, he serves as the head primary care team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Dogs, as well as a team physician for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Fire Soccer Club. An avid athlete, Dr. Alland played collegiate baseball for DePauw University before pursuing medicine and enjoys golfing, basketball and stand-up paddleboarding. He lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife, Katie, two children, Olive and Logan, and their goldendoodle, Archie. He never thought he would have a podcast, but has found it insanely fun and is excited to bring fun and approachability to the most common questions we hear as doctors.

"Work Hard + be kind" -The Alland Kitchen Wall
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Julie Bruene

Dr. Julie (Julia if we’re being formal, Julia Rose if she’s in trouble) Bruene is a sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH, a renowned, nationally-ranked orthopedic practice in Chicago. She serves as a team physician for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and DePaul University. Aside from her obvious interests in sports and medicine, she is a true crime obsessive and is a total sucker for rescued cats. She lives in Chicago with her husband and partner-in-crime, Adam, and with several of the aforementioned rescued cats. We don’t need to get into specifics about the exact number here. She likes when people are kind to one another and when animals dress up like other animals. Rock over London, rock on Chicago.