Concussion

What is a Concussion?

Concussion is an extremely common traumatic brain injury that many will have experienced. It is characterised by a temporary loss of cognitive function and is usually not serious. Occasionally the concussion can be extremely light and you may not be aware that you have had one.

What causes a Concussion?

Concussion is caused by a sudden trauma to the head that briefly disrupts the nervous function of the brain. These can be caused by sporting activities, falls or everyday accidents which is why concussions are as frequent as they are in the population. You will be hard pressed to find a professional athlete in a contact sport that hasn’t experienced some form of concussion during their career.

What are the symptoms of a Concussion?

There is a range in severity of symptoms that are caused by impaired nervous function: These can be a loss of balance, memory (this usually improves) and sudden headaches, dizziness, confusion and visual problems.

Some symptoms may be more severe such as an inability to speak normally, losing consciousness and bizarre emotional states such as emotional breakdowns or manic laughter. While the last symptom may be the most bizarre it can be explained by the temporary trauma to the areas of your brain that inhibit strange courses of action, at the front of your brain.

How is a Concussion treated?

Less severe cases of concussion can be treated outside the healthcare setting such as applying ice or a cold patch, resting and taking over-the-counter painkillers.

However if you experience symptoms of a severe concussion such as forgetting who/where you are, unconsciousness, prolonged vomiting and even seizures it may be indicative of another condition as well: Should any clear fluid or blood leave the head, inability to move a limb, or any prolonged loss of senses such as hearing or vision, it may point towards a cranial fracture. Such situations are medical emergencies and should be treated accordingly.