Could It Be a Concussion?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have estimated that as many as 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur annually in the United States. In recent years, awareness regarding sports related concussions has increased, calling for better education and more consistent preventive measures. As we head into the training season for fall sports, many students will be affected by concussions. Learn more about the signs, treatment and precautions to keep you and those you love safe!
What is a concussion?
A concussion occurs when the brain moves quickly back and forth inside of the skull. This movement can be caused by a swift forward and backward motion of the head or by the head hitting another object. In most cases, the injury done to the brain is not seen on traditional imaging such as a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray.
How common are concussions?
Concussions are the most common type of head injury with the top three causes being falls, car accidents, and sport activities. Additionally, males are about three times more likely to suffer a concussion than females.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Potential symptoms of a concussion include:
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Numbness or tingling
Dizziness
Sleeping more or less than usual
Sensitivity to noise and light
Feeling emotional, nervous or anxious
Difficulty concentrating
As a mild type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions can affect day to day functions such as thinking and sleeping. If you have a concussion, you may find that your symptoms seem to improve and then come back. You may also feel that your symptoms are stronger when doing an activity that requires more focus or energy. This can include working, studying, playing games, or doing physically demanding activities, such as sports, exercising or house cleaning.
How long do symptoms last?
Most people recover from a concussion within a month to two months, but a small subset of patients have symptoms that last longer than two months. It is normal for your symptoms to go away gradually, but physical therapy can be very useful in helping you to feel better and return to normal.
What determines individual outcomes in a concussion?
The speed at which you feel better can be faster or slower depending on factors such as age and your health before the concussion happened. Furthermore, how you take care of yourself after the concussion can make a difference. Resting for the first two days following a concussion is okay, but after these two days returning to activities is best.
What is the treatment plan for a concussion?
It is vital that individuals seek medical care when they think they may have experienced a concussion. Without professional care, recovery time can be prolonged, and there can be a higher risk for a more serious, second concussion to occur [source]. Treatment will depend on your symptoms. Your provider will develop a specific treatment plan for you and help guide you on the track to recovery.
Tips to remember while healing from a concussion:
Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
It will take time to be able to do things like you did before the concussion. Be patient with yourself!
To get your symptoms to go away we must do exercises that cause the body to feel uncomfortable.
Your physical therapist can help you to figure out how much activity you should do each day and when you should do these activities.
As the days go by, you can expect to gradually feel better!
Although a single incident may not result in long-term effects, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure! Be sure to wear concussion-proof helmets when participating in sports or activities at higher risk for concussion injuries. Always use age and size appropriate gear that fits correctly. Seek out places to play with soft surfaces like mulch or sand and teach athletes proper techniques and ways to avoid hits to the head while following all sports safety rules.
Equity and inclusion are not just a certification we get, it is one of the core values that fosters a great team.