Contact sports are great in so many ways: they allow us to stay active, exercise, learn the importance of working with a team, increase our skillsets, develop our hand-eye coordination, etc. That said, they can be quite dangerous as well. One can develop a traumatic brain injury, concussion, torn muscles/ligaments/broken bones and so much more. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons a concussion is defined as a low velocity injury that causes brain “shaking” resulting in clinical symptoms. A concussion is a subset of a TBI or a traumatic brain injury. It is important to note that while anyone can develop a concussion, women are at a higher risk. Concussions are typically caused by a direct blow to the head, face, neck or any body part that happens to cause your head to take on an impulsive force. Keep in mind that symptoms can appear in minutes or hours following such an occurrence.
The most common symptoms of a concussion are as follows:
- Headache
- Impaired concentration
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Memory loss
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Sleepiness or excessive fatigue
- Dilated pupils
Steps should you take following a suspected concussion:
- Seek medical attention. TBIs can be life threatening if severe enough or if you have experienced several concussions in the past. To be safe it is always best to visit an Urgent Care, ER or your doctor.
- If the individual is able to hold a conversation, walk without losing balance or experiencing dizziness and if the individual does not have dilated pupils, then sleeping is good because it helps the brain recover.
- If you are unaware whether someone is just acting strangely or if they actually have a concussion, it is best to keep them awake for a few hours to see how symptoms progress. Remember, a trip to your doctor is the smartest thing you can do.
Have you suffered a concussion due to an injury from a contact sport, workplace accident or car accident? Contact us for a free consultation at (571) 364 – 6307.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form