Introduction
The
brain is made up of soft tissue and it is cushioned by blood
and spinal fluid. When someone gets a blow to the head or hits
something very hard, the brain suddenly shifts inside the skull
and can knock against the skull's bony surface. Sometimes this
can happen with a lot of force. A concussion
is a temporary change in the way the brain works when it is
suddenly moved or jarred in this way.
Concussions sometimes last just a few seconds. Other times,
a person can be unconscious for a couple of minutes or longer.
But even concussions that seem to last just a few moments can
be serious.
Injuries from car crashes, or sports are the most common ways
that many person gets concussion.
Most
of the time, after a mild head injury, people return to normal
even if the injury caused a concussion. But getting more than
one concussion can lead to more serious problems.
Severe
concussions can happen after a bad blow to the head. A severe
concussion is a medical emergency. The person will need to go
to the hospital right away. If the brain is seriously injured,
someone could have long-lasting problems with movement, learning,
or speaking.
Patient With A Concussion
How
a person acts after a concussion depends upon how forcefully
the brain was jarred inside of the head. Sometimes a person
loses consciousness, or is knocked out, for a few seconds or
minutes.
A
person may have a milder concussion and not be knocked out.
Despite being awake, some people might be unable to remember
what happened right before or after the head injury. This is
called amnesia.
Most
people who have a concussion will feel groggy and dazed for
at least a little while. They may feel like they are in a fog.
They may be shaky or dizzy if they try to walk or do normal
activities right away. Some people feel nauseated, a sick to
their stomachs, or may even throw up right after a concussion.
Many people will have a mild headache that lasts for a few days
or longer.
Sometimes,
with a severe concussion, there may be bleeding inside of the
head or bruising of the delicate brain. Usually people with
a bad head injury will be knocked out for longer than a few
minutes, act very confused, vomit repeatedly, or have a bad
headache.
Treatment
Anyone
with a head injury should get checked by a doctor. Someone who
is knocked unconscious should get immediate care in the emergency
department as soon as possible.
Doctors
get many clues about a possible concussion just by talking to
someone who has had a head injury. If that person was knocked
unconscious, can't remember the injury, or has amnesia, then
a concussion is very likely.
If
a concussion is suspected, the doctor will perform a complete
examination to be able to know if the patient is affected. These
questions are important because they check someone's memory
and ability to concentrate.
The
doctor will also examine a person who may have a concussion
by looking into the eyes and checking reflexes and balance.
Sometimes the person who had the injury may even be asked to
do an activity such as moving around or running in place for
a few minutes to see how well the brain functions after a physical
workout.
A
CAT scan, a special three-dimensional brain X-ray, is sometimes
ordered to make sure there is no bleeding or bruising inside
someone's head after a concussion, especially if the person
lost consciousness or is feeling very sick in the emergency
department.
Take A Complete Rest
A
person with a concussion will need extra rest during the next
few days or weeks, and also may need to take it easy to their
daily activities. The doctor will tell the person to wait a
certain amount of time before returning to sports and other
activities. This is because if the patient gets another concussion,
it could harm the brain more seriously.
A
person can usually resume their normal activities within a few
weeks or months, but remember, each person and situation is
different. The doctor will want to do a checkup before letting
a person return to their work.
Prevention To Concussions
Injuries
happen. But the best way to prevent a concussion is by taking
care of your head.
Here
are some safety measures to protect the head:
-
Always wear a seat belt in a car.
-
When you are walking on the street, always look both ways
before you cross, and obey all streetlights and traffic
signs. Always use a crosswalk.
-
Wear helmets or headgear and other safety equipment when
biking, riding motorized bikes or vehicles, skateboarding,
riding your scooter, playing contact sports like football,
skiing, and doing other activities.
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