When a patient enters the hospital for observation
after a concussion diagnosis, it is important to explain to the patient and
family exactly what you are dealing with.
A concussion is a form of a brain injury, and can
involve interruption of a normal brain. If a head is hit hard, causing a shaking motion, it can cause the brain
to twist or bounce. In most cases, it does not cause permanent injury to the brain, however it
is possible that it could, brain cells could be lost.
Concussions are common in many sports, although many
new regulations have helped to prevent some. There is danger for someone that has a concussion to continue to
participate in sports. If the brain
already has trauma, playing sports and risking another injury could potentially
cause permanent damage. Although sports are
a common means of getting a concussion, it's not the only way. Falls, auto accidents, and significant bumps
to the head can cause a concussion as well.
Concussion Symptoms
-
A severe headache that starts immediately
following the accident or injury. Or, a
headache that develops weeks after a brain injury.
-
Neck pain can also be a sign of a
concussion. After an injury if neck pain
develops this could be due to a concussion.
-
Nausea, following a head injury can
indicate a concussion that could be very serious and should be treated
immediately.
-
Ringing in the ears following an injury
should also be viewed as s potential brain injury.
-
Dizziness, severe or slight can indicate a
concussion.
- Extreme sleepiness following an injury
should be an indication to see a physician for a proper diagnosis.
-
Concussion in a patient can present serious
complications and should be checked out immediately.
In addition, more serious symptoms can include extreme
drowsiness, or seizures, and muscle weakness. An MRI can rule out the need for
surgical intervention, and should be done as soon as possible. Following a concussion rest is imperative,
the brain needs time to heal and regain normal composure. Physical activities should be very limited,
and deep brain stimulation such as problem solving etc. should also be
avoided. After a proper amount of
healing time that the doctor recommends, normal activities can return at a slow
pace.
Patients
that have a concussion should take extra caution to avoid a second one. A second concussion on an already injured
brain can result in permanent damage; patients should be warned to follow all doctors’
orders.
Concussion Statistics
-
There are between an
estimated 1.6 and 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the United States
every year, many agree that sports concussions in the United States have
reached an epidemic level.
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High school athletes sustain
an estimated 300,000 concussions per year.
-
U.S. high schools with a certified athletic
trainer on staff found that concussions accounted for nearly 15% of all
sports-related injuries reported, which resulted in a loss of at least one day
of play.
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For young people ages
15 to 24 years, sports are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury
behind only motor vehicle crashes. High school football is
consistently shown in studies to be the sport with the greatest proportion of
concussions, many of which go ignored and undiagnosed until it takes a more
serious turn.
-
In every professional
football game, on average a player sustains s concussion. This leads to about 70,000 concussions
annually.
-
Approximately 50 high
school students passed away as a result ofconcussions.
When
a patient is under you care, and has a concussion, make sure they understand the
potential for a more serious injury if orders are not followed. With so many young people suffering from
concussions, it often takes a toll on them to be bed ridden and told to take a
slower pace. Explaining the repercussions
to a 16-year-old does not always help, so it's important to explain the need
for rest to the parents.
Concussions
can be life-threatening, and should be treated as such until the attending
physician indicates the patient is in the clear, generally 6 weeks after the
injury.
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