What is Concussion?

Put simply, concussion happens when your skull moves in a direction then suddenly stops but your brain keeps going. For the science nerds, this is an example of  Newtons first law of motion in action. This can cause the brain to hit the skull or for the brain matter (Neurons) to stretch.  This stretching causes a disruption of the brains chemistry as well as a reduction in blood flow to the brain.  To return to its normal state the brain needs more glucose than normal, but this doesn't occur due to the change in blood flow which actually reduces the amount of blood to the brain. In short, you have an energy crisis where there is an increased need for fuel and a decrease supply. This energy deficit causes parts of the brain to slow down their function.

Concussion is not limited to contact sports. It can  occur as a result of a fall, car accident, getting hit in the head by anything or anything hitting you in the head. It does not discriminate, however research suggests that younger brains (children and adolescents) are more at risk  of both occurrence and increased symptoms

 

MEDIA ATTENTION

Signs to look for 

There are many symptoms associated with concussion and you may experience one or many of them. The more symptoms you suffer from, the longer  your recovery is likely to be.

Common symptoms of concussion include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Light/Sound Sensitivity
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Problems with balance
  • Fatigue/drowsiness
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Fogginess
  • Memory problems
  • Emotional/Anxious/Depressed tendencies

You should see a doctor or go to hospital immediately if you have a reduced level of consciousness, difficulty speaking, seeing or moving, experiencing seizures or severe headaches.

Contrary to popular belief, a loss of consciousness (LOC) occurs in less than 10% of recorded cases of concussion and is NOT a good predictor of severity (in fact research indicates a LOC in isolation is in fact a predictor of rapid recovery , whereas immediate dizziness is associated with prolonged recovery.)

What to do

If you have experienced a force to the head and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above there is a high risk that you have a concussion. Since concussion is effectively an energy crisis within the brain you must conserve brain energy as quickly as possible. 

You should see a doctor or go to hospital immediately if you have a reduced level of consciousness, difficulty speaking, seeing or moving, experiencing seizures or severe headaches.

Visual processing (The brain understanding information it gets from the eyes) uses approximately 70% of your total brain energy at any given moment in time. So, to conserve fuel and help your brain heal you need to limit visual stimulation. This means for the first 24 hours post concussion: 

  • Do NOT use your mobile phone for texting, facebooking, tweeting, chatsnapping or instant gramming. But you can still use it for voice conversations
  • Do NOT watch television this includes Netflix, Stan, Foxtel, Freeview, DVD's or whatever ancient form of entertainment you may still use likes VHS
  • Do NOT read except for all the handy tips you're getting right now. 
  • Avoid busy locations (e.g. shopping centres, sporting events), driving and other visually challenging environments.
  • Do NOT undertake intensive exercise since exercise increases the burning of valuable glucose that your brain needs. You can try walking so long as it doesn't worsen your symptoms

If your symptoms persist beyond 48 hours we recommend a thorough assessment from someone who understands concussion with a health practitioner experienced in concussion management... That'd be us!