OverviewA concussion is the most common form of head injury. Most concussions are caused by a blow to the head or sudden, uncontrolled, rapid movement of the head. A concussion may cause temporary symptoms but not permanent brain damage.
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?The American Academy of Neurology has recently established guidelines for sorting concussions into Grades 1, 2, and 3. Each grade has different symptoms, and treatment recommendations vary according to the grade.
A person with a Grade 1 concussion does not lose consciousness. Symptoms of a Grade 1 concussion go away in less than 15 minutes, and may include:
•
headache
•
vision changes, including blurred vision
A person with a Grade 2 concussion does not lose consciousness, and has symptoms similar to those of a Grade 1 concussion. However, the symptoms last more than 15 minutes.
A person with a Grade 3 concussion does lose consciousness for a few seconds to many hours. When the person awakens, he or she may have many of the symptoms of a Grade 1 concussion, as well as:
• loss of awareness
•
memory loss
regarding the events surrounding the injury, also known as amnesia
•
seizures
•
vomiting
• difficulty walking
•
weakness
• an altered level of consciousness. The person may be difficult to awaken or may not be acting normally.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?There are many possible causes for a concussion. Some common causes are bicycle, motorcycle, or automobile crashes, falls, and work-related injuries. Contact sports, especially football, are another common source of concussions. Some other sports that place a person at risk for concussions include:
• boxing
• basketball
• baseball
• ice hockey
• skiing
• skateboarding
• wrestling
• almost any other contact sport
Concussions are more common in an individual who has:
• an altered mental state due to drugs or disease
• difficulty walking because of arthritis, leg injury, or neuromuscular disease
• weakness
• loss of balance or poor coordination from aging or disease
What can be done to prevent the injury?
Sports safety guidelines should be followed for children, adolescents, and adults. Helmets and seat belts are especially important in the prevention of
head injuries
leading to concussions.
How is the injury recognized?
A concussion can be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with a standard neurological exam and complete history. An
EEG, or electroencephalogram, may be ordered to check for abnormalities in the brain waves.
What are the treatments for the injury?
A person with a Grade 1 concussion should be checked at the time of the head injury, and then every 5 minutes until the symptoms go away. If the symptoms disappear in 15 minutes or less, the person can return to normal activity, including sports. A person with a Grade 2 concussion should be examined by a healthcare professional and should avoid sports for a week.
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