If you play sports or follow college and professional sports teams, you probably know that concussions can be common and serious. Athletes suffer from them by the thousands each year, often in contact sports such as football, ice hockey, and soccer.
If you or your children are actively involved in sports, it is important to know the signs of a concussion and when to seek medical attention.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the concussion and which part of the brain is affected. You should seek medical attention if you experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, hearing or vision problems, neck pain, fatigue, insomnia, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or feeling like you are in a fog. after a head injury.
“A concussion can be a very serious condition, depending on the severity of the injury,” said Sunita Tummala, M.D., a board-certified neurologist and medical director of the McLaren Flint Stroke Program. “A concussion causes the brain to stretch or compress inside the skull and can cause damage to brain cells, which causes chemical changes in the brain. These injuries can affect how the brain functions.
Continuing to play with a concussion greatly increases the risk of further injury. The most serious risk is a second brain injury called second impact syndrome (SIS).
“SIS occurs when the brain swells after the initial injury,” said Dr. Tummala. “It occurs when the brain has not fully healed after the initial injury and is thought to be the result of a sudden blow to the head. It is often fatal and if people survive they can have significant permanent disability.
If an athlete develops more severe symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizure-like activity, repeated nausea or vomiting, or slurred speech, or if one pupil is larger than the other, immediate emergency medical attention is required as this may be a sign of cerebral hemorrhage.
Another important factor to be aware of is that if you have one concussion, you are more likely to have another.
“If a person has already had one concussion, they are more than twice as likely to have another,” Dr. Tummala said. “If a person has had two concussions, he is two to four times more likely to have another. If they have three concussions, they are up to nine times more likely to have a fourth.
Most people who have a concussion make a full recovery, but this can take time, depending on the severity of the initial injury. There are three phases to concussion recovery, including the acute symptomatic phase, the recovery phase, and the third recovery phase.
“The main feature of the first phase is that this is when the symptoms are the most severe,” said Dr. Tummala. “Rest and avoidance of stimuli are important at this stage. After one to two days, you can begin to return to light minded activities such as watching TV, listening to music, and taking short walks. If necessary, NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin, or Aleve can be used for pain.
“In the second recovery phase, you may increase activity and begin more intensive thinking and physical activity. In this phase, nausea and medication may be necessary. During the recovery phase, it is important to stay hydrated and be aware of conditions that may impair recovery.
To avoid concussions, athletes should always use properly fitting protective equipment, avoid blows to the head, and follow sports safety rules.
A person with a concussion can usually return to sports within two weeks, but it can take a month or more. Coaches, parents, and athletes can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HEADS UP page for resources on how to keep children and teens healthy and safe while playing sports.
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Can a concussion affect you years later?
Persistent post-concussion symptoms – also called post-concussion syndrome – occur when symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury last longer than expected after the injury. This may interest you : Is travel back to normal? Trends Say Yes!. These symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration and memory.
Can a concussion hit you in 10 years? A very small percentage of people who have a concussion go on to develop what is known as post-concussion syndrome. Symptoms usually appear within seven to 10 days of a concussion and can last for weeks, months, and sometimes years.
Can an old head injury cause problems years later?
New research led by the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine suggests that a single head injury can lead to dementia later in life. This risk increases further as an individual’s number of head injuries increases.
Can an untreated concussion cause problems years later?
Long-term effects Getting hit (or falling) hard enough on the head can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If left untreated, TBI can cause negative, long-term physical effects, such as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, immediate memory loss, impaired verbal communication, and reasoning problems. On the same subject : Video games can change your mind for the better.
Can a concussion permanently affect you?
In most cases, a single concussion should not cause permanent damage. See the article : The United States is making its first real foray into climate legislation – but are we still doomed?. A second concussion immediately after the first does not have to be very severe for its effects to be permanently disabling.
What can be done to reduce concussions in sports?
Prevention tips
- Limit contact during exercises. …
- Teach athletes proper techniques and ways to avoid blows to the head.
- Keep a close eye on athletes in positions with increased concussion risk to help you spot a possible concussion.
What is done to prevent concussions in football? Most product research and development has focused on trying to improve helmets and mouthguards, with some incorporating sensors that can monitor players for possible concussions. New products, such as protective collars, are also used to protect football players during hard hits.
Can a concussion bother you years later?
Long-term effects of a concussion are rare. In fact, most people see all symptoms resolve within a few weeks. Only about 20 percent of people may suffer from post-concussion syndrome, in which symptoms continue beyond six weeks.
Can a concussion affect you permanently? In most cases, a single concussion should not cause permanent damage. A second concussion immediately after the first does not have to be very severe for its effects to be permanently disabling.
What are some potential long-term side effects of a concussion?
“There is evidence that if you have another brain injury, if you haven’t recovered from the concussion, the recovery can be very long and cause long-term deficits,” he says. This type of injury can affect memory, balance, sleep and mood. It can also cause chronic headaches.
