What is a Concussion? (Head Injury)
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head, but can sometimes occur when a person is violently shaken. Concussions can change the way the brain works. Most of the time these changes are temporary, but sometimes the damage can be permanent.
Typical Symptoms
- Headache
- Loss of memory or memory loss
- Amnesia or loss of memory
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Confusion and/or dizziness
- Ringing in the ear
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Feeling tired
Some people may have persistent symptoms, including sensitivity to light and loud noises, trouble sleeping, irritability, and changes in taste and smell.
Can a Concussion be Dangerous?
Although most people recover well from concussion, any concussion should be taken seriously because it can be very dangerous. Untreated concussion can lead to permanent brain damage and even death (although this is rare). People with concussion should see a doctor. If symptoms are severe such as vomiting, severe headache, lethargy (severe drowsiness), difficulty concentrating, seizures, etc. occurs, the person must be taken immediately to a doctor or emergency room.
Multiple Concussions
Having many concussions can be even more dangerous. Concussion can have a cumulative effect. This means that symptoms can intensify, getting worse the longer a person has had a concussion. When a person has a concussion, they shouldn’t play sports (like football) or other activities where they could get hit in the head until a doctor says they’re okay.
Types of Concussions
Concussions are classified from 1 to 3 based on their severity. Below is a description of each level according to the American Academy of Neurology.
Grade 1 (mild) – Grade 1 concussion occurs when there is no loss of consciousness and symptoms last less than 15 minutes.
Grade 2 (moderate) – Grade 2 concussion occurs without loss of consciousness and symptoms persist for more than 15 minutes.
Grade 3 (severe) – Grade 3 concussion occurs with loss of consciousness. treatments
Treatments
As mentioned above, a person with a concussion should see a doctor and get medical help. Some commonly recommended treatments for concussion patients may include:
Rest – One of the most important treatments is rest: both physical rest and mental rest.
Physical Rest – This means getting enough sleep and not engaging in strenuous physical activities.
Mental Rest – Patients should pause activities that require mental focus. This includes taking tests, doing long homework, using computers, texting, watching TV, and playing video games
Break from Sports – Take a break from sports, especially sports. Another concussion can lead to serious complications. Avoid any activity where you could get another blow to the head.
Medicine – Avoid taking medications that have not been specifically approved by your doctor. Some medicines (such as aspirin) can make the situation worse.
Prevention
You can reduce your risk of concussion by trying to protect your head from strong blows. Some ways to do this are listed below:
Protective headgear – One of the most important ways to protect your head from concussion is to wear a hard hat when playing any type of contact sport or high speed sports. This includes activities like football, hockey, skateboarding, biking, and rollerblading.
Wear your seatbelt – Concussions are common in traffic accidents. Wearing seat belts can help prevent injuries in car crashes.
Diving – Don’t dive in shallow water or waters where you can’t see the bottom.
Interesting Facts about Concussions
The concussion is sometimes called MTBI, which stands for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
About 10% of concussions occurring during sports are related to loss of consciousness.
The most dangerous sport for concussions is football, where about 75% of athletes experience concussions.
If a person has had a concussion, they are 1-2 times more likely to have a second concussion.