A concussion is a brain injury of such severity that it alters the way the brain functions for a short period of time. When jarred or shaken, the soft tissue of the brain can move around inside of the skull and knock into the hard bone. Bruising, torn blood vessels, and nerve damage can result.
A concussion is often caused by a blow to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere in the body where the force can be transmitted to the head (i.e., hitting your shoulder). It can also be caused by vigorous shaking. A person might suffer a concussion due to a fall, due to injuries resulting from a car accident, or due to any number of types of impact injuries, like a hard tackle in football, or a high-hit or body-check in hockey.
People who get a concussion from participating in sports are at increased risk of getting at least one other concussion. Repeat concussions may occur from less severe impact and pose a greater risk for long-term effects.
A concussion most often happens by accident, and not all causes can be prevented. To reduce your risk, protect yourself and your family from the most common dangers. Wear a seat belt whenever you ride in a car. Strap children into age- and size-appropriate safety seats. Wear protective gear whenever engaged in sports or active pursuits that pose injury risks (e.g., skating, bicycling, horseback riding). Wear shoes with low heels and good treads to prevent slips and falls.
Depending on the severity of the concussion, a patient may be ordered to rest (no exercise, playing, or computer games). Returning to activities before you are completely better can actually make things get worse, and you may have symptoms for longer. Athletes who experience a concussion should return to their sport only after they are symptom-free, and they should gradually increase activity only as long as they continue to be symptom-free. Medication may be recommended to treat symptoms such as headache, pain, or nausea. Acetaminophen* can be given for pain, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended due to their increased risk of causing bleeding.
Symptoms of concussion may linger for months or longer after injuries have healed. In post-concussion syndrome, a person may continue to experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and changes in mood, sleep, and memory. Since these symptoms are common in everyday life, it can be difficult to know if they were caused by the concussion. If you have had a concussion and your post-concussion symptoms worsen, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. People who experience changes in mood may benefit from psychotherapy if their symptoms persist. Repeated concussions may lead to permanent neurological damage.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Concussion
Pharmasave uses cookies to provide a personalized experience, analyze traffic, improve site performance, and provide social media features. By using our site, you agree to our privacy policy.