Concussion

About Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury mTBI caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Concussions affect tens of millions of people worldwide each year. Symptoms fall into four categories: somatic headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, cognitive difficulty concentrating, memory problems, slowed thinking, emotional irritability, sadness, anxiety, and sleep insomnia or excessive sleepiness. Loss of consciousness occurs in only approximately 10 percent of concussions. Diagnosis is clinical, based on symptoms, cognitive testing tools such as the SCAT, and neurological examination. CT scanning is not routinely needed but is used when red flags are present vomiting, severe headache, worsening symptoms, weakness, seizure, age over 65, bleeding disorder, or anticoagulant use. Current guidance favours a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual, stepwise return to activity. In most adults symptoms resolve within about two weeks. Persistent post concussive symptoms lasting over 4 weeks occur in approximately 10 to 15 percent. Repetitive concussions, particularly in contact sports football, boxing, hockey, rugby, may lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy CTE, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by mood changes, cognitive decline, and dementia. Structured return to play protocols protect athletes. After a head injury, repeated vomiting, a worsening headache, a seizure, increasing drowsiness, confusion, or weakness is a medical emergency; call your local emergency number.