Car accidents, sports injuries and even a fall can all cause your head to experience a blow. If the blow is forceful enough, you might end up dizzy, distant, nauseous or even unconscious. These are all basic signs that you have suffered a concussion.

A concussion occurs when your head experiences enough trauma that your brain collides with your skull. Concussions vary in severity, so symptoms may vary. Regardless of how bad you concussion is, or how bad you might think that it is, you must take measures to treat it. Most often the injured person will need the help of others, as a blow to the head can cause disorientation. If this appears to be the case, you should get the person to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Be sure that someone with a head injury does not drive herself, as she can easily become involved in an automobile accident.

Signs of a Concussion

• Confusion
• Loss of short-term memory
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Increases
• Seeing spots or flashing lights
• Nausea
• Loss of consciousness
• Abnormal eye movement

If you are with someone who experiences head trauma and exhibits any of these signs, especially the ones towards the end of the list, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If the injured person is in the middle of a game/sport, the athlete needs to be immediately taken off the field. Continuing to play, especially a contact sport, can lead to a more severe injury.

Do not leave someone alone if you suspect the person could have a concussion. Be sure that someone stays with the patient while you wait for medical attention. During the exam, it’s also helpful for someone to stay, as the patient may be too disoriented to remember exactly what happened.

Concussion Tests

The doctor will probably use some form of diagnostic imaging technology to evaluate the status of a head injury, such as:

• Head CT- Doctors may take a CT scan of the patient’s head to evaluate whether a concussion has developed.
• MRI- This test uses magnetic waves to create an image of the inside of the head.

After the Concussion

If you’re diagnosed with a concussion, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Generally rest is the best way to recover from a concussion. Concussion patients should avoid doing anything strenuous or that could cause re-injury. They should also avoid aspirin, medicines that thin the blood, medications that cause drowsiness, alcohol and of course any illegal drugs.

Talk to your doctor about your condition and when it would be medically acceptable to return to contact sports or strenuous exercise. Everyone’s body and level of concussion is different, so your doctor will likely reevaluate your condition before clearing you for these activities. Keep in mind that multiple concussions are very dangerous and can cause brain hemorrhaging or damage to the brain, which can result in changed physical abilities and even personality.

Concussions are the result of accidents, which means that many times patients will need to visit an ER for a proper diagnosis or to be transferred to the correct department within the hospital. If you have questions about emergency care in Tamarac or Fort Lauderdale, please visit University Hospital and Medical Center online or Consult-A-Nurse® by calling 1-866-442-2362.

Sources:

MedLine Plus

Sports Injury Clinic

University Hospital and Medical Center Health Library

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