Zachfloate's List: Concussions

• Are There Different Types of Concussions?

   

  Concussions are graded as mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), or severe (grade 3), depending on such factors as loss of consciousness, amnesia, and loss of equilibrium.

   

  In a grade 1 concussion, symptoms last for less than 15 minutes. There is no loss of consciousness.

   

  With a grade 2 concussion, there is no loss of consciousness but symptoms last longer than 15 minutes.

   

  In a grade 3 concussion, the person loses consciousness, sometimes just for a few seconds.

  • IMPORTANT
• ake a break. If your concussion was sustained during athletic activity, stop play and sit it out. Your brain needs time to properly heal, so rest is key. Athletes and children should be closely monitored by coaches upon resuming play. If you resume play too soon, you risk a greater chance of having a second concussion, which can compound the damage.
• uard against repeat concussions. Repeat concussions cause cumulative effects on the brain. Successive concussions can have devastating consequences, including brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities, or even death. Don't return to normal activities if you still have symptoms. Get a doctor's clearance so you can return to work or play with confidence.
• Wear protective equipment. Participation in high-contact, high-risk sports such as football, hockey, boxing, and soccer can increase the likelihood of a concussion. Skateboarding, snowboarding, horseback riding, and roller blading are also a threat to your brain's health. Wearing headgear, padding, and mouth and eye guards can help safeguard you against traumatic head injuries. Wearing a bike helmet can lower your risk of traumatic head injury by 85%. Ensure that the equipment is properly fitted, well maintained, and worn consistently.

2 more annotations...

• The most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury is called a concussion. The word comes from the Latin concutere which means "to shake violently."

• What Is a Concussion?

   

  As seen in countless Saturday morning cartoons, a concussion is most often caused by a sudden direct blow or bump to the head.

   

  The brain is made of soft tissue. It's cushioned by spinal fluid and encased in the protective shell of the skull. When you sustain a concussion, the impact can jolt your brain. Sometimes, it literally causes it to slosh around in your head. Traumatic brain injuries can cause bruising, damage to the blood vessels, and injury to the nerves.

   

  The result? Your brain doesn't function normally. If you've suffered a concussion, your vision may be disturbed, you may lose your equilibrium, or you may fall unconscious. In short, your brain is confused. That's why Bugs Bunny often saw stars.

• There are some common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms a person may display following a concussion. Any of these could be a sign of traumatic brain injury:

   
   
  • confusion or feeling dazed
   
  • clumsiness
   
  • slurred speech
   
  • nausea or vomiting
   
  • headache
   
  • balance problems or dizziness
   
  • blurred vision
   
  • sensitivity to light
   
  • sensitivity to noise
   
  • sluggishness
   
  • ringing in ears
   
  • behavior or personality changes
   
  • concentration difficulties
   
  • memory loss

1 more annotation...