Facts about Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Doctors may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms

Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion. Symptoms of concussion usually fall into four categories:

·         Thinking/remembering – difficulty thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating or remembering new information

·         Physical – headache fuzzy or blurry vision, nausea or vomiting (early on), dizziness, sensitivity to noise or light, balance problems, feeling tired, having no energy

·         Emotional/mood – irritability, sadness, more emotional, nervousness or anxiety,

·         Sleep – sleeping more than usual, sleep less than usual, trouble falling asleep

Tips to help you get better:

·   Get plenty of sleep at night, and rest during the day.

·   Avoid activities that are physically demanding (e.g., sports, heavy housecleaning, working-out) or require a lot of concentration (e.g., sustained computer use, video games).

·   Ask your doctor when you can safely drive a car, ride a bike, or operate heavy equipment.

·   Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol and other
drugs may slow your recovery and
put you at risk of further injury.

www.cdc.gov/concussion/get_help.html

Compliments of Spokane Regional Health District. Produced by Cheri Kaatz, Communications Department. The information presented is not intended to provide medical advice, which should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Past issues may be reproduced and reformatted for use by employers.