A concussion is an injury to the brain usually caused by a blow to the head that interferes temporarily with normal brain function.
This occurs when a blow to the head is severe enough to make the brain move within the skull. There is the potential for tearing of blood vessels, pulling of nerve fibres and bruising of the brain substance.
The most common type of head injury, concussions commonly occur as the result of a sport injury in football, boxing and other contact sports.
The symptoms of a concussion include: headache, vision disturbance, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, ringing ears, memory loss, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.
A concussion can affect memory, judgment, reflexes and muscle coordination. The speech and balance of the injured person may also be impaired.
Most people who suffer from a concussion will recover well within time but it is very important that if you think you are concussed you consult a healthcare professional.
The doctor will run a series of tests to make sure there is no further damage to the brain. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your condition and may even perform a CAT scan.
After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal so it is important that you rest until all the symptoms of a concussion have disappeared.
You should only return to normal activities when the doctor says you are able to do so – this can sometimes take up to two or three weeks.
It’s imperative that you take extra good care of yourself when recovering because if you suffer another head injury while recovering, it can cause further damage to the brain.
As always, prevention is better than a cure so when playing high contact sports be sure to wear the proper protection like head gear. When riding a bike, it’s important to wear a helmet and remember to always put your seat-belt on when in a car.
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