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Cranial
Care
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Concussion
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a diffuse injury (not necessarily limited or localized) and is defined as a temporary loss of awareness and/or motor skills immediately following an injury in which the head is impacted.
The impact puts stress onto the brain and causes an interruption of brain function, but does not result in any permanent damage or memory loss. A majority of concussions are sports related, but a concussion
can be caused by any event that bumps or jars the head. Loss of consciousness may occur due to cerebral anemia (insufficient blood flow to the brain), but it is not required as a condition for diagnosis,
and does not have any lasting effects. A concussion can only be evaluated in retrospect, after its duration is known and the patient examined.
Concussion symptoms can be precursory to longer periods of unconsciousness, brain damage, memory loss, or even death and should be taken seriously. A second concussion, occurring a short time after
the first injury may result in serious problems. In some countries, boxers that sustain a concussion have a required period of inactivity prior to the next boxing match in order to minimize the potential
for serious brain damage, permanent memory loss, and possible death.
Although it is impossible to predict an accident that will cause head injury, by taking the proper safety precautions such as wearing a helmet and fastening your seatbelt while in a car, you can significantly
decrease your risk of suffering from a concussion and other head injuries.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
It is important to remember that while the effects of a concussion are temporary, any injury to the head is serious and should be treated with care. Immediately following the injury, one or more of
the following symptoms may be experienced:
- A feeling of vertigo or dizziness during which the person will appear disoriented or confused due to a cognitive deficit in the brains’ ability to process information.
- Nausea, a weak pulse, or slow respiration.
- Temporary loss of consciousness usually lasting no longer than 10 minutes.
- A momentary loss of memory and subjective awareness (with or without observed loss of consciousness) immediately following impact.
Treatment/Recovery
There is no recommended treatment for a concussion other than preventing another head injury for 2-3 months. There are also no long-lasting effects from a concussion. While there may be a short period
of drowsiness or headache following a concussion, there is a full return of all functions of the brain, and no sustained damage. As with any injury, getting enough rest and the importance of a healthy diet
are integral parts of the recovery process, and will help you enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
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