Transcript concussions
The term concussion describes an injury to the brain resulting from an impact to the head. By definition, a concussion is not a life-threatening injury, but it can cause both short-term and long-term problems. A concussion results from a closed-head type of injury and does not include injuries in which there is bleeding under the skull or into the brain. A concussion occurs when the skull stops and the brain keeps moving, resulting in a collision. In an ironic twist, the one bone structure specifically designed to shield our grey matter from injury ends up doing most of the damage Nearly all cases of head trauma fall under the umbrella of what we call "mild traumatic brain injury" (MTBI), an expression that can be used interchangeably with "concussion." Concussions are among the lesser-understood injuries today, and their treatment still continues to evolve. Medical practitioners frequently disagree on how to diagnose and manage concussions of varying grades, or levels of severity. However, some aspects of these injuries aren't up for debate. Evidence has shown that their effects can be permanently debilitative in severe cases Worst-case concussions can even result in death. And while there's a tendency to only associate these injuries with athletics, most cases in the United States are entirely unrelated to sports. So, it's important to understand concussions to facilitate preparedness in the event that you or someone close to you has one. Some of the details provided in this article cover the common causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention methods for mitigating their effects. A few common characteristics of concussions include nausea, loss of coordination or balance, confusion, delayed reaction time, slurred speech and memory loss. Although it isn't necessarily required for diagnosis, loss of consciousness is among the most common signs that a concussion has occurred. However, some alteration of consciousness must take place in order to accurately classify an injury as a concussion People commonly keep small alterations of consciousness to themselves, which can contribute to the underreporting of concussions. However, there are a few outward signs that a person typically displays after experiencing one. Among these symptoms are vacant facial expressions, delayed reaction times, loss of focus or inability to pay attention. Therefore, even if a victim adamantly denies having experienced a subtle change in consciousness, there are certain telltale signs that allow an experienced observer to detect when a concussion has occurred Other common symptoms include headache, dizziness and visual disturbances. Examples of the kind of vision problems that concussions might cause include photophobia -- a strong aversion to bright lights -- as well as seeing stars or having double vision. Auditory disturbance is another symptom of concussion. A victim may experience phonophobia -- an aversion to loud noises -- and ringing of the ears. Concussions can also be psychologically disruptive, and victims may exhibit irritability, anxiety and depression. They can also experience sleep disturbance and fatigue concussions don't stop there -- they can also affect a person's ability to think, which can be especially debilitating. A person who has experienced a concussion can become confused and disorientated. He or she may also lack attentiveness or have difficulty concentrating. Concussions can impair memory and could even hamper a person's ability to learn. Posttraumatic or retrograde amnesia is not uncommon, and the centers of the brain that control planning, ability to follow instructions, verbal fluency and braineye coordination may all become discombobulated by concussion No matter how severe, the first response to any concussion is immediate cessation of the activity that led to the injury. In 2010, the American Academy of Neurology called for any athlete suspected of having a concussion to be removed from play until the athlete is evaluated by a physician. If a concussion is suspected due to a sports injury, the Centers for Disease Control recommends implementing a 4-step plan: Remove the athlete from play. Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Inform the athlete's parents or guardians about the possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says they are symptom-free and it's OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first - usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks) - can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death. Concussion Prognosis A person with a single, isolated concussion generally has a very good recovery outcome with few longterm effects. Short-term effects Postconcussive syndrome: The main symptom of postconcussive syndrome is persistent headache for one to two weeks, lasting up to months after the injury. Sometimes people with postconcussive syndrome will have dizziness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, or problems doing certain types of activities such as reading. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Affected individuals may also experience other subtle cognitive or emotional problems. Anywhere from 20%-90% of affected individuals develop at least one symptom of postconcussive syndrome within the first month following injury, and about 40% have at least three symptoms by three months post-injury. Postconcussive syndrome is more common after a serious concussion than after a mild one. Symptoms usually are relieved with mild pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Postconcussive syndrome usually goes away on its own with time. Some people may have symptoms that do not go away, even after months. In this situation, contact a doctor. Sometimes tests (such as an MRI or cognitive function testing) or consultations with a neurologist can better assess this problem. Long-term effects Concussions are known to be cumulative. That is, each time you have a concussion it is easier to get another concussion in the future. Repeated concussions can lead to long-term memory loss, psychiatric disorders, brain damage, and other neurologic problems. If a person has had a number of concussions, the doctor likely will advise the person to avoid the activities that may put them at risk for future head injuries and to discontinue contact sports. Professional athletes are particularly prone to the effects of cumulative concussions.