Concussion: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments

 What is a concussion?

The most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury is called a concussion. The word comes from the Latin concutere, which means "to shake violently". A concussion is usually caused by a sudden direct blow or blows to the head.

According to the CDC, between 2001 and 2009, an estimated 173,285 people under the age of 19 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for concussions related to sports and recreational activities. Other causes include car and bicycle accidents, work-related injuries, falls, and fights.

Concussion Causes and Risk Factors

The brain is made of soft tissue. It is padded by cerebrospinal fluid and embedded in the protective layer of the skull. When you receive a blow or blow to the head, the impact can shake your brain. Sometimes it literally makes it toss in your head. Traumatic brain injuries can cause bruising, damage to blood vessels and injury to nerves.

The result is that your brain does not work as it should. If you've had a concussion, your vision may be impaired, you may lose your balance, or you may lose consciousness. In short, the brain is confused.

Some things increase your risk of having a concussion, including:

  • Falls, especially in children and older adults.
  • Play a contact sport
  • Lack of proper safety equipment or supervision for contact sports.
  • Car, motorcycle, bicycle, and other accidents that cause a blow to the head.
  • Being hit, hit with an object, or other physical abuse
  • Military service
  • A previous concussion

Symptoms of concussion

Concussions can be difficult to diagnose. Although you may have a visible cut or bruise on your head, you cannot see a concussion. The signs may not appear for days or weeks after the injury. Some symptoms last only a few seconds; others can stay.

Concussions are quite common. Some estimates say that a mild brain injury occurs every 21 seconds in the US But it's important to recognize the signs of a concussion so that you can take the proper steps to treat the injury.

There is some common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that a person can experience after a concussion. Signs of a traumatic brain injury include:

  • Confusion or lightheadedness
  • Clumsiness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitivity to noise
  • Slowness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Irritability or other behavior or personality changes.
  • Difficult to focus
  • Memory loss
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • I forget how to repeat
  • Slow response to questions
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Depression
  • Taste or smell problems.

Concussions in children

Because their heads are disproportionately large compared to the rest of their bodies, concussions often occur in young children. When children enter adolescence, they experience rapid weight and height gain. Both are factors that make them more prone to accidents than adults.

If a child has a concussion, an adult should watch him for the first 24 hours. Do not give medicine, including aspirin, which can cause bleeding, to a child without first talking to a doctor.

It is important to be aware of changes in behavior. Young children, especially, may not be able to fully communicate what they are feeling, so it is essential to observe them closely. Symptoms of concussions in children include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Balance problems
  • Upset stomach or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to light or noise.
  • Mental fogging or slow thinking
  • Problems with memory, concentration, or focus.
  • Feeling more irritable, sad, nervous, or emotional than usual
  • Trouble sleeping

Types of concussions

Doctors classify or classify, the severity of concussions based on factors such as loss of consciousness, amnesia, and loss of balance. There are three degrees:

  • Grade 1: mild, with symptoms lasting less than 15 minutes and not involving loss of consciousness
  • Grade 2: moderate, with symptoms lasting more than 15 minutes and not involving loss of consciousness
  • Grade 3: severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes only for a few seconds

Diagnosis of concussion

Most people with concussions make a full recovery with proper treatment. But because a concussion can be serious, it's important to protect yourself. Here are some steps to follow:

Seek medical attention. A healthcare professional can decide how serious the concussion is and if it needs treatment.

If you have a grade 1 or grade 2 concussion, wait until the symptoms go away before returning to your normal activities. That could take several minutes, hours, days, or even a week.

If a person has lost consciousness, it is a Grade 3 concussion that needs immediate evaluation and care by a doctor. They will ask how the head injury occurred and discuss the symptoms. The doctor may also ask you simple questions like "Where do you live?" "What is your name?" Or "Who is the president?" The doctor asks these questions to test memory and concentration skills.

The doctor can evaluate coordination and reflexes, which are functions of the central nervous system. The doctor may also order a CT scan or MRI to rule out bleeding or other serious brain injuries.

Concussion Treatment and home remedies

If you do not need hospitalization, the doctor will give you instructions to follow. Experts recommend follow-up medical care within 24 to 72 hours if symptoms worsen. To recover at home, you must:

  • Take a break. If your concussion persisted during athletic activity, stop the game and don't do it. Your brain takes time to heal properly, so rest is key. Definitely do not resume play the same day. Coaches should closely monitor athletes and children when resuming play. If your resume playing too early, you risk having a second concussion, which can compound the damage. The American Academy of Neurology has published guidelines on resuming activities after a concussion.
  • Protect yourself from repeated bruises. Repeated concussions cause cumulative effects on the brain. Successive concussions can have devastating consequences, including brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities, or even death. Do not return to your normal activities if you still have symptoms. Get a doctor's clearance so you can go back to work or play with confidence.
  • Treat pain with non-aspirin medicine. Your doctor will prescribe a pain reliever medication or recommend an over-the-counter option.

Prevention of concussions

A concussion is unexpected, so it is difficult to prevent. But there are several common-sense precautions you can take to decrease the chance of a traumatic brain injury.

  • Wear protective gear. Participation in high-risk, high-contact sports such as soccer, hockey, boxing, and rugby can increase the likelihood of a concussion. Skateboarding, snowboarding, horseback riding, and skating are also a threat to your brain health. Wearing helmets, pads, and mouth and eye protectors can help protect against traumatic head injuries. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. Make sure the equipment fits you well and is well maintained.
  • Drive and drive smart. Always wear a seatbelt, obey posted speed limits, and do not use drugs or alcohol as they can affect reaction time.
  • Do not fight. Concussions often occur during an assault, and more men than women report traumatic head injuries.
  • Reduce trip and fall hazards in your home. Eliminate clutter from floors and hallways and make sure your home is well lit.
  • Get regular exercise. It can strengthen the leg muscles and improve balance, which can help prevent falls.
  • Use safety measures at home to protect your children. Install bars on windows and block stairs.

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