Concussion Awarness
Katlyn
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. It can be caused by a bump, hit or blow to the head, which causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Even a little hit to the head can lead to a serious problem, which is why you need to know symptoms of a concussion, treatment for a concussion and ways to prevent a concussion.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury.
An athlete may report symptoms such as:
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion
- Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”
- Pupils won't dilate
Symptoms assessed by the coach may be:
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Is confused about assignment or position
- Forgets an instruction
- Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness
- Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
- Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
- Can’t recall events after hit or fall
Danger Signs of a concussion
In some cases, which is rare, a dangerous blood clot form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. If this is the case, the athlete will need to receive immediate medical attention if the hit to the head shows signs of:
- One pupil larger than the other
- Is drowsy or cannot be awakened
- A headache that gets worse
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions or seizures
- Cannot recognize people or places
- Becomes increasingly confused, restless, or agitated
- Has unusual behavior
- Loses consciousness
Why does a athlete need to report their symptoms
If the athlete has a concussion, the brain will need time to heal. While an athlete’s brain is still healing, it is much more likely to have another concussion (Second Impact Syndrome). Repeat concussions can increase the time it takes to recover. In rare cases, repeated concussions in young athletes can result in brain swelling or permanent damage to their brain, which can cause death.
What should you do if a athlete shows signs of a concussion?
You should immediately remove the athlete from play and alert medical attention. Do not try to judge the injury yourself. Keep the athlete out of play until the doctor or health care provider says the athlete is symptom-free and it’s okay to return.
Rest is very important for helping the athlete recover from a concussion. Exercising or activities that involve a lot of concentration, which may include: studying, working on the computer, and/or playing video games, may result the concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. After a concussion, returning to sports and school is a gradual process that should be carefully managed and monitored by the doctor.
NOTE:
- Concussions may affect people differently. While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have symptoms that last for days, weeks or even months.
- Most concussions may occur without loss of consciousness.
- Athletes who have had a concussion before, will have an increased risk for another concussion.
- Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults will.