As anyone who follows the NFL can tell you, a concussion is a serious injury—so serious that the Philadelphia Eagles’ star quarterback was sidelined for two games during a critical time in the season.
What is a concussion? Why is it serious enough to cause multimillion-dollar athletes to sit out games for their safety?
Concussions are a common type of traumatic brain injury where the brain moves rapidly within the skull.
“It’s important to be aware of the signs of a concussion and understand the steps to take for a safe recovery,” says James Varner, a board-certified physician assistant at Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Primary Care. “Recognizing the condition right away can help prevent further complications.”
Concussion causes and symptoms. Some of the most common causes of concussions include impact from sports, falls or collisions.
“Symptoms are often most severe right after the injury happens, but other symptoms can develop and appear later,” Varner says.
Immediate symptoms may include:
• Headache (the most common symptom)
• Dizziness or confusion
• Slurred speech
• Temporary memory problems
• Blurry/double vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
Some symptoms may not appear until days after the injury, including:
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Restlessness or anxiety
• Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy
• Trouble concentrating
Seeking care. “If the injury occurred during a sport or physical activity, stop immediately to avoid further harm,” Varner says. “Monitor symptoms, paying particular attention to how the injured person feels over the next few hours and days. Look for symptoms like worsening headaches, confusion or vomiting.”
Seek emergency care immediately if the person has any of these symptoms:
• Can’t stay awake or won’t wake up after losing consciousness
• Has confusion and/or a headache that won’t go away
• Has convulsions or seizures
• Has repeated vomiting or nausea
• Has slurred speech
• Has one eye pupil larger than the other or double vision
• Has weakness or numbness or can’t keep their balance
• Has difficulty recognizing people or places
Delaying care can lead to serious complications; even if the symptoms don’t seem that bad at first, seeing a health care provider is important. They can evaluate the injury, provide a diagnosis and recommend steps for recovery.
Diagnosis and treatment. Health care providers use a variety of methods to diagnose concussions, including a neurological exam or an imaging test like a CT scan or MRI to determine the seriousness of the injury.
To treat a concussion, a health care provider will typically recommend:
• Get enough sleep, avoiding screen time and activities that strain your brain too much
• Avoid bright lights and noise
• Avoid driving
• Gradually returning to activities
• Monitoring symptoms
You can take steps to prevent concussions, including clearing your home of trip hazards, wearing a seat belt in your car and protective gear or helmets while playing sports.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. For non-emergency concerns, schedule a visit with a health care provider to get the care you need.
—This article is provided by Beaufort Memorial Hospital
