What does concussion mean
What happens when you have a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head.
What exactly is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
How long do concussions last?
Approximately 80 percent of concussions resolve over seven to 14 days, with an average of 10 days. People with concussions should never return to sports or other physical activity sooner than one week from sustaining the injury.
What are the 3 types of concussions?
Types of Concussions
- Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
- Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
- Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
Is it safe to sleep with a concussion?
Medical experts once warned that people should stay awake if they had a concussion. They based this advice on the theory that sleeping with a concussion could cause a person to fall into a coma or even die. However, medical experts now agree that it is safe for a person to sleep if they have a concussion.
Does concussion heal itself?
Most concussions resolve on their own without any lasting effects. However, some concussions can accompany a more serious injury that requires treatment. Seek emergency treatment if you notice any of the following after a concussion: sudden, intense headaches.
Should I go to hospital if I hit my head?
When to go to hospital
Unconsciousness or lack of full consciousness, even if the person has now recovered. Any clear fluid running from the ears or nose. Bleeding from one or both ears. Bruising behind one or both ears.
Is a concussion serious?
A single concussion usually doesn’t cause permanent damage to your brain. Multiple concussions over a lifetime may result in structural changes in your brain. Concussions are not usually life-threatening. However, the effects from a concussion can be serious and last for days, weeks or even longer.
What are 5 symptoms of a concussion?
- Headache or “pressure” in head.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
- Bothered by light or noise.
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
- Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
- Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.
Can I sleep after I hit my head?
Unless a doctor says the person needs further treatment, the injured person should sleep and rest. A concussion can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
What do hospitals do for concussions?
1 Sometimes after a head injury, an overnight stay in the hospital for observation is advisable, but it’s rarely necessary. Only a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) would require an intervention such as surgery. In fact, the most effective prescription for a concussion is rest—total rest.
What position should you sleep in with a concussion?
Make sure you are keeping yourself positioned as close to neutral as possible. This means keeping your head aligned with your spine, regardless if you’re lying on your side or on your back. If you’re lying on your side, you may need to use two pillows to keep your head elevated to the correct height.
When should you go to the hospital for a concussion?
Should I Go to the Hospital for a Concussion? In general, any head injury associated with loss of consciousness, seizures, prolonged confusion or amnesia, neck pain, vomiting or numbness or weakness in arms or legs should be transported to the emergency room in an ambulance right away.
Is it okay to take ibuprofen with a concussion?
If you have a headache, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may ease the pain. Avoid taking other pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) if you suspect you’ve had a concussion. These may increase the risk of bleeding.
When should you go to the doctor after hitting your head?
When should I see my doctor? You should see your doctor after a head injury if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should see your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you have bad headaches, repeated vomiting, difficulty using your arms or legs, or worsening sleepiness or confusion.