Concussion
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A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking the head and upper body also can cause concussions.
Some concussions cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not. It’s possible to have a concussion and not realize it
Concussions are particularly common if you play a contact sport, such as football. Most people usually recover fully after a concussion.
Concussion care at Mayo Clinic
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not show up immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer.
Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory (amnesia) and confusion. The amnesia usually involves forgetting the event that caused the concussion.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include:
You may have some symptoms of concussions immediately. Others may be delayed for hours or days after injury, such as:
Head trauma is very common in young children. But concussions can be difficult to recognize in infants and toddlers because they can’t describe how they feel. Concussion clues may include:
See a doctor within 1 to 2 days if:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call your child’s doctor for anything more than a light bump on your child’s head.
If your child doesn’t have signs of a serious head injury, remains alert, moves normally and responds to you, the injury is probably mild and usually doesn’t need further testing.
In this case, if your child wants to nap, it’s OK to let him or her sleep. If worrisome signs develop later, seek emergency care.
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and symptoms such as:
Other symptoms include:
Never return to play or vigorous activity while signs or symptoms of a concussion are present.
An athlete with a suspected concussion should not return to play until he or she has been medically evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing concussions.
Children and adolescents should be evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing pediatric concussions.
Adult, child and adolescent athletes with a concussion also should not return to play on the same day as the injury.
Your brain has the consistency of gelatin. It’s cushioned from everyday jolts and bumps by cerebrospinal fluid inside your skull.
A violent blow to your head and neck or upper body can cause your brain to slide back and forth forcefully against the inner walls of your skull.
Sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head, caused by events such as a car crash or being violently shaken, also can cause brain injury.
These injuries affect brain function, usually for a brief period, resulting in signs and symptoms of concussion.
This type of brain injury may lead to bleeding in or around your brain, causing symptoms such as prolonged drowsiness and confusion. These symptoms may develop immediately or later.
Such bleeding in your brain can be fatal. That’s why anyone who experiences a brain injury needs monitoring in the hours afterward and emergency care if symptoms worsen.
Activities and factors that may increase your risk of a concussion include:
Potential complications of concussion include:
Second impact syndrome. Rarely, experiencing a second concussion before signs and symptoms of a first concussion have resolved may result in rapid and usually fatal brain swelling.
Concussion changes the levels of brain chemicals. It usually takes about a week for these levels to stabilize again, but recovery time varies.
It’s important for athletes never to return to sports while they’re still experiencing signs and symptoms of concussion.
Some tips that may help you to prevent or minimize your risk of head injury include:
Wearing protective gear during sports and other recreational activities. Make sure the equipment fits properly, is well-maintained and worn correctly. Follow the rules of the game and practice good sportsmanship.
When bicycling, motorcycling, snowboarding or engaging in any recreational activity that may result in head injury, wear protective headgear.
Concussion care at Mayo Clinic
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Concussion
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