A concussion is a mild brain injury in which trauma to the head results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. The injury may involve subtle pulling, tugging, or shearing of brain cells without causing any obvious structural damage. After a concussion, the brain does not work right for a while. Loss of consciousness may or may not occur, but confusion or problems with awareness or memory are usually present. Three grades of concussions were developed by the Brain Injury Association and Academy of Neurology:
Anything that makes the brain bounce around and against the side of the skull can cause a concussion. For example:
Concussion often results from accidents that involve:
These factors increase your chance of developing a concussion. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
A concussion causes symptoms that may last for days, weeks, or even longer.
Symptoms include:
Symptoms that may appear in a child with a concussion include:
The doctor will ask you and others who were present at the time of injury about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. The physical exam usually includes checking for strength, sensation, balance, reflexes, and memory.
Tests may include:
The goal of treatment is to allow the brain injury to heal.
Treatment may include:
If you are diagnosed as having a concussion, follow your doctor's instructions .
The following safety measures may help you avoid getting a concussion:
RESOURCES:
Brain Injury Association of America
http://www.biausa.org/
Brain Injury Society
http://www.bisociety.org/
National Resource Center for Traumatic Brain Injury
http://www.neuro.pmr.vcu.edu/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Brain Injury Association of Alberta
http://www.biaa.ab.ca/
Ontario Brain Injury Association
http://www.obia.on.ca/
References:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aans.org .
Can you recognize a concussion? American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation website. Available at: http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/injuries/concuss.htm .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ .
Closed head injury. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed July 29, 2008.
Harmon KG. Assessment and management of concussion in sports. Am Fam Physician . 1999;60:887-894.
Kirkwood M., Yeats, K., Wilson, P. Pediatric sport-related concussion: a review of the clinical management of an oft-neglected population. Pediatrics . 2006;117:1359-1371.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/ .
Pearce JM. Observations on concussion: a review. European Neurology. 2008;59:113-119.
Sports-related concussion information for athletes. Wesleyan University Athletic Injury Care website. Available at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/injurycare/concussion.html .
Last reviewed January 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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