Concussion

A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a <a href="/facts/Head_injury/KvqnqIbG">head injury</a> that temporarily affects <a href="/facts/Brain_function/EKla9NkJ">brain functioning</a>. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, difficulty with thinking and concentration, sleep disturbances, a brief period of memory loss, brief <a href="/facts/Loss_of_consciousness/SS240v32">loss of consciousness</a>, problems with balance, nausea, <a href="/facts/Blurred_vision/uxFesJ0w">blurred vision</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mood_changes/NWYoAMyP">mood changes</a>. Concussion should be suspected if a person indirectly or directly hits their head and experiences any of the symptoms of concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may be delayed by 1–2 days after the accident. It is not unusual for symptoms to last 2 weeks in adults and 4 weeks in children. Fewer than 10% of sports-related concussions among children are associated with loss of consciousness.
Common causes include <a href="/facts/Motor_vehicle_collisions/hW5yXKq3">motor vehicle collisions</a>, <a href="/facts/Falling_(accident)/yWtEHM06">falls</a>, <a href="/facts/Concussions_in_sport/0rjxNXlz">sports injuries</a>, and <a href="/facts/Bicycle_accidents/chhqezN3">bicycle accidents</a>. Risk factors include physical violence, drinking <a href="/facts/Ethanol/3lCLfBSP">alcohol</a> and a prior history of concussion. The mechanism of injury involves either a direct blow to the head or forces elsewhere on the body that are transmitted to the head. This is believed to result in <a href="/facts/Neuron/G7CyTVdH">neuron</a> dysfunction, as there are increased <a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">glucose</a> requirements, but not enough <a href="/facts/Blood/03zEulkj">blood</a> supply. A thorough evaluation by a qualified medical provider working in their scope of practice (such as a physician or nurse practitioner) is required to rule out life-threatening head injuries, injuries to the cervical spine, and neurological conditions and to use information obtained from the medical evaluation to diagnose a concussion. <a href="/facts/Glasgow_coma_scale/PsQ56f9t">Glasgow coma scale</a> score 13 to 15, loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, and memory loss for less than 24 hours may be used to rule out moderate or severe <a href="/facts/Traumatic_brain_injury/DTq110vw">traumatic brain injuries</a>. Diagnostic imaging such as a CT scan or an MRI may be required to rule out severe head injuries. Routine imaging is not required to diagnose concussion.
Prevention of concussion approaches includes the use of a <a href="/facts/Helmet/jDxsnLKp">helmet</a> and <a href="/facts/Mouthguard/IS39nfbD">mouth guard</a> for certain sporting activities, seatbelt use in motor vehicles, following rules and policies on body checking and body contact in organized sport, and <a href="/facts/Neuromuscular_training/T54jXmDe">neuromuscular training</a> warm-up exercises. Treatment of concussion includes relative rest for no more than 1–2 days, aerobic exercise to increase the heart rate and gradual step-wise return to activities, school, and work. Prolonged periods of rest may slow recovery and result in greater depression and anxiety. <a href="/facts/Paracetamol/SNDfQWcf">Paracetamol</a> (acetaminophen) or <a href="/facts/NSAIDs/coIkzl4s">NSAIDs</a> may be recommended to help with a headache. Prescribed aerobic exercise may improve recovery. <a href="/facts/Physiotherapy/q24XDqHF">Physiotherapy</a> may be useful for persisting balance problems, headache, or whiplash; <a href="/facts/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy/LRALDkkU">cognitive behavioral therapy</a> may be useful for mood changes and sleep problems. Evidence to support the use of <a href="/facts/Hyperbaric_oxygen_therapy/AjJVW8Qs">hyperbaric oxygen therapy</a> and <a href="/facts/Chiropractic_therapy/ylESDH0d">chiropractic therapy</a> is lacking.
Worldwide, concussions are estimated to affect more than 3.5 per 1,000 people a year. Concussions are classified as mild traumatic brain injuries and are the most common type of TBIs. Males and young adults are most commonly affected. Outcomes are generally good. Another concussion before the symptoms of a prior concussion have resolved is associated with worse outcomes. Repeated concussions may also increase the risk in later life of <a href="/facts/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy/Y1NGjbfF">chronic traumatic encephalopathy</a>, <a href="/facts/Parkinson%2527s_disease/xpekKj6x">Parkinson's disease</a> and <a href="/facts/Mood_disorder/Y0Mjq3QR">depression</a>.

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Concussion