Preventing Concussion | Gleneagles Hospitals

Causes of Concussions

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by either a blow, jolt, or impact to the head or body that temporarily interferes with normal brain function leading to symptoms such as confusion, memory problems, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Although most concussions are not fatal, immediate medical attention is needed along with some rest to let the brain recover.

The main causes of concussions include:

Falls
- Falling down and hitting the head is a common concussion cause, especially in kids and older people.
Direct blow to the head (head trauma) or sports injuries
- Typically happens in sports, falls, car accidents, or physical fights.
- Contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, and rugby have elevated risks of concussions due to the higher likelihood of collisions and falls.
Sudden acceleration or deceleration
- Whiplash injuries, typically seen in car accidents, can cause the brain to move back and forth within the skull quickly, which leads to bruising, brain cell damage, and normal brain function is disrupted.
Blasts or explosions
- Exposure to blast waves (in military settings) can cause concussions.

Symptoms of Concussions

There are many concussion symptoms, and they may not always show up right after the injury. Symptoms may include a headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, confusion, difficulty keeping your balance, memory issues, light and noise sensitivity, and mood or behaviour changes.

Signs of concussion in children can appear similar to the symptoms in adults, but younger children may find it challenging to communicate their symptoms.

More info: How to prevent and treat sports injuries in children?

Possible Complications

How long a concussion lasts depends on each individual and the seriousness of the injury. Concussions usually recover by themselves, but the healing time frame can differ. Most heal up within a couple of weeks, while some may last for months, leading to post-concussion syndrome if not handled properly.

Symptoms such as constant headaches, cognitive challenges, and changes in one’s mood define post-concussion syndrome. In certain cases, this syndrome can cause one to sink into depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms. Quick medical attention and support are important in handling these issues.

A rare but serious condition called second-impact syndrome happens when a second concussion occurs before the first has recovered, leading to serious swelling of the brain.

Delayed or recurrent concussions can lead to long-term consequences, making it important to handle and prevent them from occurring, specifically in sports and activities where you are prone to head injuries. Medical assessment is crucial to ensure you have a safe recovery.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A concussion is diagnosed through a medical assessment that takes an individual’s reported symptoms, physical examination, and imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs into account to eliminate severe brain injury such as bleeding or skull fractures.

Adequate rest and medical supervision are essential for recovery, as resuming normal activities or sports too early can delay symptoms or cause more complications. Stay away from activities that could worsen symptoms such as sports or mentally draining tasks to let the brain heal.

Painkillers are prescribed to ease headaches and discomfort. Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin should be avoided to decrease the risk of bleeding.

Some individuals may require cognitive and physical therapy to deal with lingering issues such as memory issues or balance challenges. Counselling or psychological support is also helpful in emotional and psychological recovery.

Preventing Concussions

Follow this guideline to minimise the risk of head injuries in different environment settings:

Setting	Guideline
Home safety (especially for young children and the elderly)	Install safety gates to prevent young children from accessing staircases and dangerous areas. Secure or use non-slip rugs or mats to avoid slipping and falling placing, especially in the bathroom. Fix grab bars in showers and near toilets. Install handrails on staircases. Use soft surfaces such as mulch or sand on the playground and ensure play toys are in good condition. Secure corner guards on sharp edges of furniture to avoid head injuries due to unintentional collisions. Secure heavy furniture against the wall to avoid tipping and possible head injuries from falling objects. Encourage frequent vision and hearing check-ups for the elderlies to decrease the risk of falls.
Vehicle safety	Always wear your seat belt while driving or riding in a car. Use child safety and booster seats that are appropriate for their age and size. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and avoid distractions while driving. Driving with a concussion is unsafe as your impaired coordination and altered mental state can increase the risk of accidents. You should wait for your doctor to examine you and allow you to drive.
Contact sports	Wear helmets that fit your head correctly and comply with safety regulations for sports such as biking, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and contact sports like football and hockey. Wear a mouthguard in certain sports to prevent head injuries by cushioning impacts to the head. Comply and implement rules designed to reduce the risk of head injuries such as proper football tackling methods, preventing head contact in soccer, and following no-checking rules in youth hockey. Education regarding the dangers of concussions, symptoms to look out for, and the significance of reporting injuries should be implemented for coaches, athletes, and parents. Teach and practise correct techniques in sports to prevent blows to the head, such as practising safe falling techniques in gymnastics or martial arts.
Workplace safety	Wear suitable protective gear in jobs that carry risks of head injury, such as construction or mining. Make sure correct training on safety protocols and equipment use is implemented.

Schedule an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

If you or someone you know shows warning signs such as constant vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, serious headaches, slurred speech, or unequal pupil size due to slipping or falling down, seek medical attention right away.

Get in touch with us to book an appointment today for a consultation, or visit our Neurology Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.