concussion

Concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is typically defined as a head injury that causes temporary traumatic brain injury symptoms with or without short-term loss of consciousness. Symptoms may include headaches, trouble with thinking, memory or concentration, nausea, blurry vision, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. Some symptoms may begin immediately, while others may appear days after the injury. Fewer than 10% of sports-related concussions among children are associated with loss of consciousness. It is not unusual for symptoms to last up to four weeks.
Common causes include motor vehicle collisions, falls, sports injuries, and bicycle accidents. Risk factors include drinking alcohol. The mechanism may involve 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 neuron dysfunction as there is increased glucose requirements but insufficient blood supply. Diagnosis requires less than 30 minutes of loss of consciousness, memory loss of less than 24 hours, and a Glasgow coma scale score of 13 to 15. Otherwise it is considered a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.
Efforts to prevent the condition includes the use of helmets when bicycling or motorbiking. Treatment generally involves physical and cognitive rest for a day or two with a gradual return to activities. Prolonged periods of rest may worsen outcomes. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or NSAIDs may be recommended. Physiotherapy may be useful for persistent balance problems while cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful for mood changes. Evidence to support the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and chiropractic therapy is lacking.
Concussions are estimated to affect more than 6 per 1,000 people a year. It is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. 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 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson's disease, or depression.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  • 1

    B17NNS

    Established Member 49 From Staffordshire, UK
    • Messages
      240
    • Reactions
      129
    • Points
      61
  • 1

    Hampy1972

    Distinguished Member From Redditch, England
    • Messages
      7,129
    • Reactions
      6,023
    • Points
      2,093
  • 1

    pborojon

    Prominent Member From Newton Abbot
    • Messages
      4,615
    • Reactions
      344
    • Points
      961
  • 1

    phargrave

    Prominent Member
    • Messages
      1,616
    • Reactions
      139
    • Points
      276
  • Back
    Top Bottom