Causes of Concussion

Concussion Overview

Concussions are brain injuries that result from the brain hitting the skull or a strain on neural tissue due to excessive force. This force can be direct, like a hit to the head, or indirect, like whiplash in a car accident.

Concussion is also known as mild brain injury, mild traumatic brain injury, mild head injury, and minor head trauma.

According to the CDC there are an estimated 1.7 to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries each year in the United States,

Some experts define concussion as a head injury with temporary loss of brain function, which can cause cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms.

Concussion may also be defined as an injury to the brain, often caused by a jolt, or blow to the head. In the majority of cases, the individual does not lose consciousness.

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

Concussion symptoms range from mild to severe and can include the following:

Amnesia
Blurred vision.
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Headache, which may range in intensity from mild to severe.
Poor memory or concentration
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Poor balance
Sensitivity to noise, light, or both
Slurred speech
Sudden mood changes, including irritability, unexplained crying, or depression.
Reduced hearing or ringing in the ears.
Trouble sleeping
Vertigo
Vomiting

While concussions can cause a loss of consciousness on impact, this doesn’t always happen. In fact, 81 to 92 percent of concussions don’t involve loss of consciousness. In addition, symptoms can appear anywhere from the time of impact to several days after the initial injury.

Serious Symptoms that Need Immediate Attention

The following signs and symptoms of concussion may be linked to a more serious injury, and immediate medical help should be sought:

Prolonged dizziness
Dilated of different-sized pupils
Prolonged headache
Consistent memory loss
Prolonged nausea and vomiting
Loss of sense of smell or taste
Ringing in the ears

Concussion Symptoms in Children

Concussion signs and symptoms are most difficult to detect in very young children because they cannot explain how they feel. Signs may include:

Altered appetite.
Changing sleeping patterns
Irritability
Lethargy and listlessness
Walking or standing unsteadily, or any signs of balance and dizziness problems

Serious Signs in Children

The following signs usually mean the child needs immediate medical attention:

Any change in the way the child walks
A cut continues to bleed.
Bleeding from the ears or nose
Confusion
Continuous crying
Dizziness
Discharge from the ears or nose
Loss of consciousness
Prolonged headache
Blurred vision.
Prolonged irritability
Loss of appetite
Seizures
Slurred speech
Repeated or forceful vomiting
Worsening headache
Prolonged listlessness, fatigue, and lethargy

The brain floats in cerebral fluid, which protects it from jolts and bumps. A violent jolt or a severe blow to the head can cause the brain to bump hard against the skull. This can result in the tearing of nerve fibers and the rupturing of blood vessels under the skull, leading to a build-up of blood.

Concussions are most commonly caused by:

Assaults
Automobile accidents
Cycling accidents
Explosions
Falls
Horseback riding accident
Playground accidents
Sports injuries

Diagnosis of Concussion

If an individual has experienced a severe jolt or blow to the head that has left them dazed, confused, or wobbly, they have concussion.

Determining the severity of the concussion is more difficult because the signs may not be evident. A report published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine explains that athletes may have a severe concussion without becoming unconscious. According to the authors, amnesia and confusion on the field after injury may be as important, if not more important, in making a return-to-play decision.

A doctor will ask the patient details about the trauma. It may be necessary to question the people who accompanied the patient. A neurological examination will also be done, which will include evaluating the following factors:

Balance
Concentration
Coordination
Hearing
Memory
Reflexes
Vision

A computerized tomography (CT) scan may also be ordered if internal bleeding or swelling of the brain is a concern.

Treatment of Concussion

Most concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) symptoms will go away without treatment. Guidelines for managing a concussion include:

Alcohol: People should avoid consuming alcohol until all symptoms have completely disappeared because it slows healing.
Headaches: Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is the best painkiller for a headache due to a head injury. Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided because they thin the blood and increase the risk of internal bleeding.
Migraine: The occurrence of a migraine after a concussion may indicate an increased risk of neurocognitive impairment.
Rest: This is vital. It takes time for the brain to recover, and recovery is quicker if the body is resting and getting good sleep each night.
Sports: It is important not to return to any sporting activity too soon. Ask a doctor.
Worsening symptoms: If symptoms get worse, visit a doctor.

Only a small percentage of patients with MTBI require surgery.

Recovery Time of Concussion

Ignoring symptoms can be dangerous. Recovering from a concussion can take a long time, especially in severe cases, so rest is crucial.

If physical signs return during this time, it is a strong indicator that you are overexerting yourself. Do not immediately return to driving a car, riding a bike, or operating heavy machinery after a concussion.

It is important to concentrate on one task at a time, avoiding using computers too often and writing down anything that it may be a struggle to remember.

Return to work and normal activity gradually. Be sure to avoid activities that run the risk of another concussion, such as contact sports, until all signs have stopped occurring.

Prevention of Concussion

Preventing concussion means finding ways to avoid physical injury, especially to the head.

At home: Consider adding lighting to areas that may be hazardous. Be alert for clutter that could cause people to fall over. If there are toddlers in the house, place pads on sharp edges of furniture, use a stair gate, install window guards.
Cycling at night: Make sure the bicycle has good lighting in front and behind. Wear bright clothing with reflectors.
Driving under the influence: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or some medications.
Helmets and other protective headgear: It is important to buy new protective headgear, not second-hand ones. Headgear will need to be replaced periodically.
Seat belt: wearing a seat belt has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of head injury during vehicle accidents.
Nutrition and exercise: A well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise can help maintain good bone mass and bone density. This is especially important for older individuals and post-menopausal women. Stronger bones may reduce the severity of brain injury following a blow to the head.
Mouthguard: A good mouthguard can help prevent concussion in contact sports.
Playgrounds: There should be an underlay of soft material, either sand or special matting.
Jogging in busy streets: Wear bright colored clothing and use eyes and ears when crossing the road. Keep to the sidewalk.

A concussion can be easily prevented, but accidents happen. If you do experience concussion, be sure to give it a prolonged amount of recovery time.

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