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Symptoms of a Concussion:
 
A concussion is a complex process affecting the brain induced by biomechanical forces. These forces that are referred to are acceleration or impulse forces delivered to the brain. It is often thought that there has to be a loss of consciousness but his is Not necessarily true – over 90% of concussions DO NOT result in a loss of consciousness. Concussions cause a temporary dysfunction in the involved nerves, where they don’t work properly for a period of time and the brain cell disturbance causes the brain cells to discharge uncontrollably which
 
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may cause any one, or more, of the following signs or symptoms:
 

Headache            

 

Pressure in the head     

   

Neck pain

             

Nausea or vomiting

 

Dizziness

 

Blurred vision

 

Balance problems

 

 Sensitivity to light

 

Sensitivity to noise

 

Feeling slowed down

 

 Feeling of “fogginess”

 

Not feeling right or feeling off

 

Difficulty concentrating

 

 Difficulty remembering

 

 Fatigue or low energy

 

Confusion 

 

 Drowsiness

 

 Trouble falling asleep

 

More emotional  Irritability

 Sadness

 

 
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There is a high suspicion of a concussion injury:
if someone is experiencing any of the symptoms above following a significant hit or blow to the head or body. The common misconception is that you must be hit in the head to cause a concussion injury – this is not true! Because a concussion is the result acceleration or deceleration of the brain, a concussion can happen with a significant blow to anywhere on the body, provided sufficient acceleration/deceleration is transmitted to the brain tissue. These injuries can actually be quite devastating if they are not managed properly. However, if managed properly, concussions are completely recoverable in most cases.

 

 
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MRI and CAT scans do not show signs of a concussion,
so a baseline test is used to evaluate the brain. What is a Baseline Test?
 
 
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Concussion Evaluation and Management
 It is important that concussed patients receive a proper neurological evaluation as well as proper management advice as soon as possible following injury, as this has a significant impact on their recovery. Please make an appointment with your nearest Complete Concussion Management™ clinic within 24-48 hours of the injury taking place. To find the nearest CCMI clinic, please click here.
 
 
 
 
What are the Do's and Don'ts of  Concussion?
 
  1. DON’T give any medication! This may mask the signs of a worsening condition and may increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
  2. Rest is important for recovery, however DON’T allow the athlete to go to sleep for at least 3 hours after injury – this is to monitor for signs of a worsening condition. The injured person will likely be tired and want to sleep but converse with them to make sure they are speaking coherently, not slurring their words and not repeating the same questions over and over.
  3. DO periodically stand them up and have them close their eyes with their feet together to check for signs of balance problems. If they are getting worse, take them to the emergency department for evaluation.
  4. For the first night following the injury, DO wake the injured athlete every 2 hours to check for responsiveness.  Make sure that they are easily awoken and that they know where they are.
  5. DO make an appointment for a full evaluation within 2-days of the injury. It is preferable that the appointment be made for the very next day. 
Need to Book a Concussion Assessment?
 
 
 
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Following a concussion injury, the first 24-48 hours are the most crucial, due to the potential for a more serious underlying injury that may require immediate medical attention such as a bleed or swelling in the brain. These are signs of potentially serious or life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department:
  • Severe or worsening headache
  • Very drowsy or can’t be woken up
  • Vomiting
  • Drug or alcohol intoxication at time of injury
  • Deficits in short-term memory (can’t remember things that just happened, repeating the same questions over and over)
  • Seizure
  • Decreasing level of consciousness or awareness (can’t recognize people or places)
  • Fluid or blood coming from ears, nose, mouth, or eyes
  • Bruising behind ears, black eyes, very tender points on face
  • Inability to remember events 30 minutes before and leading up to the injury or 30 minutes after the injury
  • Unsteady on their feet
  • Slurring of speech
  • Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
  • Dangerous mechanism of injury such as being struck by a motor vehicle, being ejected from a motor vehicle, or a fall from more than 3 feet or 5 stairs