Concussion: symptoms. causes, and treatment

Definition of a concussion

What is a concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by an external impact, such as when you hit your head with a physical object, which can affect brain function.

Reporting from the CDC page, a concussion is a minor head injury because it is usually not life-threatening. However, the effects can be serious and require proper care.

How common is this condition?

A concussion is an accident that can happen to anyone. However, those most prone to head injuries are athletes. Especially athletes, such as boxers or soccer players, whose activities are at high risk of having a head impact.

Signs & symptoms of concussion

What are the possible symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of a concussion may be subtle and may not appear immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer. The most common symptoms are headache, memory loss (amnesia), and confusion.

In patients with amnesia, they may forget the event that caused the head injury recently or even the event before the injury occurred.

The following are other symptoms you may experience:

• Ringing in ears.
• Stomach nausea and vomiting.
• Talk less clearly and less response when asked. They may ask the same questions over and over.
• Difficulty concentrating and poor memory, such as easy to forget.
• More sensitive to light and noise.
• The senses of taste and smell become disturbed.
• Sleep disturbance, depression, or personality changes.

Specific symptoms of concussion in infants or children

Injuries to the head of a child or infant are more difficult to recognize than in adults. However, generally a child or baby who has a concussion will show signs and symptoms, such as:

• Looks absentminded.
• The body is lethargic or tired easily.
• Easy to get angry.
• Poor balance and walking unstable.
• Children or babies are more fussy.
• Diet and sleep changes.
• His interest in favorite toys also diminished.
• Vomiting and convulsions.

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor immediately if you experience the following conditions:

• Unconscious and lasts more than 30 seconds.
• Repeated nausea and vomiting.
• Headaches that get worse with time.
• Discharge or blood from the ear or nose.
• The ringing ears didn't go away.
• Arms or legs become limp.
• The skin appears pale for more than an hour.
• Changed behavior, unclear speech, or difficulty recognizing people and places.
• Body coordination worsens, for example, it's easy to fall.
• Prolonged dizziness or convulsions.
• There are bumps or bruises on the head or forehead in children and babies under 12 months of age.

Causes of concussion

Your brain is protected by a gelatin layer. This layer protects the brain from shocks or collisions that may occur during daily activities.

Shocks and collisions that cause a concussion can occur due to:

• A hard blow to the head or neck that causes brain injury.
• Body movements that cause sudden and violent shocks in the brain, for example during a car accident.

Brain injury can also cause bleeding in the brain. If bleeding occurs, it can be fatal, so people who have a concussion will be monitored a few hours after the injury.

Concussion risk factors

Some of the factors that can increase your risk of concussion are:

• Have experienced this condition before.
• Operating machinery or riding motorbikes unsafe (drunk or without safety equipment).
• Doing sports with a high risk of injury such as soccer, boxing, and others. The risk can be higher if you do not use safety devices and are not monitored by experts.

Complications of concussion

This condition can cause complications, including:

• Headaches for up to seven days after brain injury occurs.
• Headache or a sensation of spinning around the environment (vertigo) that lasts for days, weeks, or months after the injury.

As many as 15-20% of people who have a concussion experience post-concussion syndrome or post-concussion syndrome. This condition causes symptoms of headaches, headaches, and difficulty thinking that last from 3 weeks to 3 months.

Diagnosis & treatment of concussion

The following information is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

In order to make a diagnosis, your doctor will ask you to undergo a series of medical tests, including:

Imaging test

This test is usually performed on patients who experience severe headaches, seizures, and recurring vomiting. Through this test the doctor can determine the severity of the injury, bleeding, or swelling and complications that occur.

Some of the most common types of imaging tests are CT scan and MRI.

Neurological test

In addition to imaging tests, the doctor will also evaluate the patient's symptoms with neurological tests.

In this test, the doctor will test the patient's ability to see, hear, feel touch, maintain balance, show reflexes, and body coordination.

Cognitive test

The presence of an injury affects brain function. Therefore, the doctor will conduct a cognitive test by testing the patient's ability to remember and concentrate.

What are the treatment options for concussion?

The following are treatment options to help with concussion recovery:

Physical and mental rest

Rest is the most appropriate way to heal your brain from injury. This is done for several days after the injury occurs. In this treatment, the doctor will limit activities that require the brain's performance in thinking and concentrating. Here are a few things that can help:

• Limit playing video games, watching TV, doing schoolwork, reading, texting, or using a computer.
• Avoiding physical activity that can increase symptoms, such as exercise.
• Avoid all stimuli from excessive light or darkness.

After that, it is recommended that you gradually increase your daily activity such as screen time if you can tolerate it without triggering symptoms.

Furthermore, the doctor will recommend different therapies as well, such as rehabilitation for vision, rehabilitation for balance problems, or cognitive rehabilitation for problems with thinking and memory.

Take pain relievers

Headaches can occur days or weeks after brain injury. To manage pain, ask your doctor whether it is safe to take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Avoid other pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and aspirin, as these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding.

Home treatment for concussion

You are required to rest at home to recover from a brain injury. Avoid strenuous activity or exercise. Balance with the consumption of nutritious foods for overall body health.

Prevention of concussions

Concussion is a condition that can be prevented through the following tips:

• Wear protective gear during sports. Ensure that the equipment is properly sized, properly maintained, and used properly.
• When cycling or motorbikes wear a standard-compliant head protection helmet.
• Use a seat belt when driving a car and obey traffic signs to avoid accidents that cause head injury.
• Set the lighting in the house not too dark and make sure the floor in the house is not slippery to avoid slipping or tripping.
• Always supervise your little one when playing, especially when he likes to climb to high places.