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What is a concussion?
A concussion is “a change in how the brain functions.” (1) Concussions occur following a blow or jolt to the head or body. Often referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries, concussions result in transient neurological dysfunction. They differ from traumatic brain injuries, which are associated by more severe and longer-term dysfunction.
While the majority of concussions are related to falls or motor vehicle accidents, a portion of concussions are sport-related, with American football having the highest concussion rates. (2)
How do concussions occur?
When the head or body is hit, it can cause the brain, which sits in fluid, to move within the skull. The mechanism of the brain hitting the inside of the skull causes chemical changes to brain cells and tissues and can result in a concussion.
Concussions can occur from a direct hit, such as a football tackle, or an indirect hit, such as whiplash in a motor vehicle accident.
What do the symptoms look like?
Concussions can be hard to identify because of a wide variety of symptoms. In other words, no two concussions are created equal!
The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) lists 21 symptoms that should be evaluated when a concussion is suspected. (3) Some of the most common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, difficulty concentrating or remembering, and confusion.
Loss of consciousness does not have to occur to diagnosis a concussion, and it is not an indication of concussion severity.
A concussion may present with one or many symptoms. Because of the varying presentation of symptoms, it is important to work with trained and qualified professionals with expertise in the identification and diagnoses of concussions.
How do I know if I have a concussion or not?
“When in doubt, sit them out!” is the advice to coaches from the CDC Heads Up Campaign. (5). Another injury to the head could cause prolonged recovery, more severe brain damage, or second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome occurs in a brain that has not fully recovered from a concussion. It can result in severe complications or even be fatal.
Diagnosis of a concussion should be made by a qualified healthcare professional trained in concussion care.
Unfortunately, a concussion cannot be identified on routine x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, (4) although these tests may be ordered to rule out more severe brain injury. Healthcare professionals will evaluate symptoms and conduct various tests, such as neurocognitive and balance testing, to aid in the diagnosis of concussions.
What does treatment look like if I have been diagnosed with a concussion?
General recommendations for concussion treatment include a period of rest, but this should be discussed with a trained medical professional, such as an
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Hunnicutt is a licensed athletic trainer with a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science, who has worked with all types of athletes, including professionals and Olympians. She has held prominent research positions at Emory Sports Medicine and the NBA Hawks Center in Atlanta, GA, as well as serving on the national network of healthcare providers for U.S. Figure Skating. Now the owner of Hunnicutt Writing and Consulting, LLC, Dr. Hunnicutt collaborates with global institutions, spearheading innovation and research among professionals and businesses in Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. Learn more at https://drhunnicutt.com.
References
Brain Injury Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html
Daneshvar DH, Nowinski CJ, McKee AC, Cantu RC. The epidemiology of sport-related concussion. Clin Sports Med. 2011;30(1):1-vii.
SCAT5: Sport Concussion Assessment Tool – 5th Edition. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2017/04/26/bjsports-2017-097506SCAT5.full.pdf
Concussion. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/concussion/
Responding to a Concussion and Action Plan for Coaches. https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/