When a bump, jolt, or blow to the head causes a change in the way the brain works, it is called a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth inside the skull. They are sometimes considered “mild” because concussions are not typically life-threatening. Concussions are characterized by:
- An episode of observed or self-reported transient confusion, disorientation, or impaired consciousness;
- An episode of observed or self-reported dysfunction of memory around the time of injury;
- Observed signs of neurological dysfunction acutely following the injury, such as:
- Seizures;
- Irritability, lethargy, or vomiting;
- Headache, dizziness, fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Any period of observed or self-reported loss of consciousness lasting 30 minutes or less.
A person can suffer a concussion without having a loss of consciousness (LOC). The key point to remember is that concussions are defined by altered consciousness, the presence of which is evidence of brain injury.
The blog topics for this month are:
- What exactly is a concussion? (1/2/15)
- How is a concussion diagnosed? (1/9/15)
- What is post-concussion syndrome? (1/16/15)
- How is a concussion managed? (1/23/15)
Note: To see all posts in this topic, click here
