A concussion is a dangerous injury that requires medical attention right away. Below are six important facts about concussions to remember in case you or someone you love sustains a bump, blow or jolt to the head.
1. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI refers to a brain dysfunction caused by an outside force, usually a blow to the head.
2. Not all concussions involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, only a very small percentage of people who sustain a concussion lose consciousness. Some of the most common signs of a concussion include confusion, forgetfulness, clumsy movements, personality changes and other concussion symptoms.
3. Another concussion can be deadly or cause permanent injuries if the first one hasn’t healed yet. Second impact syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal condition that can result after a second concussion occurs while the brain is still healing from a previous concussion.
4. Children may have different symptoms than adults, and they often take longer to recover.
5. Athletes with a concussion should be cleared by a doctor before returning to play, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
6. There are certain signs of a very serious problem after a person suffers a bump, blow or jolt to the head. These include one pupil larger than the other, drowsiness or inability to wake up, worsening headache, slurred speech, and more. These signs could point to a hematoma, or a dangerous collection of blood on the brain.
Coaches and other professionals who are responsible for others’ care must be diligent in protecting concussed children and adults from suffering worse injuries. When they fail to do so, it’s the concussion victim who suffers the consequences. Contact our brain injury lawyers for assistance if you or someone in your care has suffered from serious medical problems due to the failure of others to follow proper concussion guidelines.
