A concussion is a type of brain injury. It’s an injury resulting from an impact to the head. Temporary headache can include problems on memory, concentration, coordination, judgement and balance.
It can also cause short and long term problems. Concussions are common problems especially on contact sports, particularly football and boxing. Sometimes people don’t know that they have concussion even though they’re conscious and may result to long term problem on their brain.
Some other factors that may cause concussion beside contact sports are car accidents, fall, or being struck on the head with an object.
Symptoms of concussion can range from mild to severe and may include the following:
1. Headache
2. Confusion
3. Drowsiness or hard to wake up
4. Memory loss or amnesia
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Blurred vision or double vision
7. Poor balance or poor concentration
8. Seeing flashing lights
9. Ringing in the ears
10. Slurred speech
11. Fatigue or tiredness
12. Irritability
13. Anxiety
Some symptoms that may require immediate medical care are:
1. Convulsions
2. Unusual eye movements
3. Persistent headache
4. Vomiting more than once
5. Loss of consciousness more than 2 minutes
6. Walking problems
7. Sleep disturbances
8. Sensitivity to noise and light
9. Problem on taste and smell
Test and exams might be required for doctors to determine which concussion treatment. Some of first aids or self home care that we need to performs for emergency situations are:
1. Wrap the ice on a washcloth and apply on the affected part of the skull. Apply ice for about 30 minutes.
2. Rest
3. Painkillers
Serious brain injury should be treated immediately by doctors and professional head injury specialist; a concussion treatment should be applied to the victim to avoid further damage. Doctors will perform physical and neurological exams to assess the damage on the brain and skull. Doctors will also perform test such as MRI of the head (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT scan (Cranial Computed Tomography), EEG (Electroencephalogram).
We can’t predict or prevent injuries entirely but some precautions to prevent concussions is to avoid situations where head injuries might occur such as sports like boxing, mixed martial arts, football, rugby and other sports that might include contact on the head. Athletes can wear protective headwear or helmets to reduce the damage to the head.
Other preventions include wearing seat belts when driving or wearing helmets for motorcycle riders. Most important is DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. For home environments make sure that everything is safe by having carpets or rugs are safe for everyone to walk and won’t slip on the floor, make sure your furniture is secured and have guardrails installed in bathrooms to prevent fall.
