Concussions – Keep your brain safe
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI – that cannot be seen on routine x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. It is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. Medical professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, a concussion is a serious injury. Most people get better quickly but some have long-term problems with their memory and how they feel. your brain controls how you think, feel and move. So hurting your brain can affect you in many ways.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion:
Signs and symptoms generally show up soon after the injury. However, you may not know how serious the injury is at first and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. For example, in the first few minutes you might be a little confused or a bit dazed, but an hour later you might not be able to remember how you got hurt. You should continue to get checked for signs of concussion right after the injury and for a few days after the injury.
| Physical | Headache Dizziness Vomiting or Nausea Blurred , Double Vision Light & Sound Bothers You Ringing in the Ears Balance Problems Tired or Fatigued “Don;t Feel Right” Slow Reaction to Stimuli Loss of Coordination Abnormal Eye Movement See Stars, Flashing Lights Loss of Vision Stomach pain Seizure Trouble Walking |
Emotional | Upset or Grumpy More sad than Usual Nervous or Anxious Strange or Inappropriate Emotions (laughing, crying, easy to anger) |
| Cognitive | Feeling Confused Concentration Problems Memory Problems Don’t Know Time or Date |
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| Sleeping | Sleeping More than Usual Sleeping Less than Usual Hard to Fall Asleep Inability to Wake Up (Coma) |
If you think that you have a concussion
- Stop your activity
- Get checked by a medical doctor
- Seek treatment
- Rest and Recover
- Schedule a follow up appointment with a medical doctor.
You Should also go back to the doctor IMMEDIATELY if you experience worsening symptoms.
Recovery from a concussion:
Most people with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks. However for some, symptoms will last for a month or longer. Concussion symptoms may appear during the normal healing process or as you get back to regular activities. If there are any symptoms that concern you or are getting worse, be sure to seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Rest – limit physical activity and brain strain. Avoid situations that may cause you to re-injure your brain. Be sure to get plenty of rest and nap throughout the day as needed.
- Light activity – As you start to feel better find relaxing activities to do at home. Return to school or work gradually as you can manage without exacerbating symptoms. Avoid screen time, loud noises or bright lights. Gat maximum nighttime sleep keeping to a fixed bedtime and wake up schedule. Reduce day time naps.
- Moderate activity – When symptoms are mild or nearly gone yo can begin to return to most regular activities. Take breaks if symptoms worsen. Return to regular school or work schedules.
- Back to normal activity – Recovery from a concussion is when you are able to return to all normal activities without experiencing any concussion symptoms.
Next Blog: Treatment for Concussion Symtoms