Concussions Unit 4

How long can symptoms of a concussion last?

Days, weeks, or longer but usually 14-21 days.

What's the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury?

Really there is no difference. Both are considered injuries to the brain. These are virtually the same terms.

If a child or adult experiences any of the following symptoms in the hours or days after the head injury, get them to the hospital or call 911:

Severe headache or a headache that continues to get worse over time. Seizures or convulsions. Loss of consciousness (greater than 1 minute). Severe dizziness, loss of balance or problems with walking. Repeated vomiting (more than once). Increasing confusion, such as difficulty recognizing people or places. Clear, watery discharge from the nose or ears Bloody discharge from the ears. Numbness, weakness or tingling in arms or legs. Unusual, bizarre or irritable behavior. Slurred speech. Pupils that are bigger than normal or unequal in size. Extreme drowsiness, difficulty waking from sleep, or fainting.

Explain the three ways to protect yourself from brain injury

Study up: be familiar with concussions and other brain injurie and answer any questions you may have using research Speak Up: get yourself out there like talking with legislators or supporting kids safety bills, maybe talking to schools about their safety measures, basically talk about the problem in order to find solutions. Suit Up: using things like helmets to protect your head

.What is second impact syndrome?

When a patient suffers a 2nd mild TBI before recovery from the first. So, a traumatic brain injury that occurs after the second concussion before the symptoms of an earlier concussion is gone.

G-force

a force acting on a body as a result of acceleration or gravity

ted talk vid

https://bcps.schoology.com/link?a=1767249954&path=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ted.com%2Ftalks%2Fkim_gorgens_protecting_the_brain_against_concussion%3Flanguage%3Den%23t-135323

Concussion 101 Notes

- Feeling sick, blurry vision, headache, sensitive to light, etc. are signs of concussions - Return to activity is sued to avoid making a concussion worse - No machines can detect a concussion, so really focus on symptoms - Concussions could cause memory loss - Sometimes the brain hits the inside of the skull and could get bruised

How long does it take for symptoms to appear?

. They can take minutes or hours to appear and can change days later or appear when the brain is stressed.

What causes a concussion?

A concussion occurs when your brain bounces or twists inside your skull or experiences rapid, whiplash-type back and forth movement that causes it to collide with the inside of your skull. This brain movement stretches and damages brain cells and leads to chemical changes in the brain causing the brain to not function as it normally would.

Who is most at risk for concussions:

Adolescents are at higher risk of concussion than any other age group. Researchers think this is because their brains are still developing. The brain is still laying down its neural pathways and adolescents' necks are typically weaker at this age than in young adults and older people. And elderly people because of the risk of falls.

Symptoms of concussions

Headache. (This is the most common symptom.) Nausea or vomiting. Confusion. Temporary loss of consciousness. Balance problems/dizziness/lightheadedness. Double or blurry vision. Ringing in the ears. Sensitivity to light and noise. Feeling tired or drowsy. Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping much more or less than usual or can't sleep). Trouble understanding and/or concentrating. Depression or sadness. Being irritable, nervous, and anxious. Feelings of being "just not right" or in a "fog." Difficulty paying attention, forgetful, memory loss.

How many more times likely are teenagers likely to incur a catastrophic injury than their college aged peers? Why are they more at risk?

Kids are more vulnerable to head injury because they are still developing which is why teens are three times more likely to sustain catastrophic injuries.

Your healthcare provider will ask about the event leading to your head injury, your symptoms and perform a neurological exam. The neurological exam will check your:

Neurological function and reflexes. Vision, eye movement, reaction to light. Balance and coordination. Hearing. Strength. Neck muscles for their motion and for tenderness Verbal, written or computerized tests may be used to check your: Thinking ability. Problem-solving skills. Memory and concentration. You will also be asked if you've experienced mood changes, sleeping changes or any changes in behavior. -CT/MRI scan

Do you have to black out to have a concussion

No they don't have to black out, it only requires a change of consciousness not a loss in it. Symptoms: dizzy, memory loss, sensitive to light/sound, can affect their moods, ringing in the ear.

Recovery notes:

The article states that too much rest and restriction can slow down recovery, so Learn to recognize the triggers that bring on concussion symptoms. Start back slowly, in small amounts. When symptoms occur, back off and rest. Limit the activities that make your symptoms worse. For example, activities that may bring on symptoms include: Texting/spending time looking at your smartphone screen. Reading. Watching television. Playing video games. Listening to loud music. Doing any physical activity.

Are teenagers who sustain a concussion more or less likely to have another concussion?

The risk exponentially grows each time a child is hurt.