A concussion is a type of brain injury that can be caused by a blow or hit to the head, that would cause the brain to move around inside of the skull. Anyone can get a concussion, ranging from children to older adults.
Causes:
Concussions are caused when the brain shifts inside the skull and forcefully slides or hits the inner walls. Concussions can also be caused by a shearing of the white and grey matter of the brain. This shifting or shearing can be caused by;
- Hard blow to the head
- Sudden acceleration or deceleration such as during a car accident
- Being violently shaken
- Hard falls where the head can be hit or jarred
Symptoms
The signs of a concussion may include:
- memory problems
- confusion
- drowsiness or feeling sluggish
- dizziness
- double vision or blurred vision
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light or noise
- balance problems
- slowed reaction to stimuli
The symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following your injury.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for a concussion depends on the severity of your symptoms. Most concussions don’t require surgery or any major medical treatment. If you experience headaches due to the concussion you can use acetaminophen. The best treatment for a concussion is prevention. Regarding concussions from sport, protective equipment such as helmets and mouth guards should be worn to absorb forces, and equipment should be the latest in technology where feasible. Athletes and non-athletes should maintain their body strength and physical fitness as there is the possibility that stronger musculature can protect against forces transmitted through the body and better control any forces transmitted to the head and neck.
