What is a concussion?
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣?
A concussion is a functional brain injury caused by a blow or sudden acceleration and deceleration to the head, neck or body, with forces transmitted to the brain. While the structure of the brain doesn’t change, how it functions does.
Concussion signs and symptoms can be a bit confusing, and each person may experience these differently.
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣?
Recognition of concussion may happen immediately, it may be identified from the side-line, whilst attending the player on field or in the 24-48 hours post game.
If any of the following signs or symptoms are present following a head injury the player should be suspected of having concussion and be immediately removed from play or training.
𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝘾𝙐𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉
* Seizure (fits)
* Loss of consciousness (LOC) – confirmed or suspected – visible signs suggesting LOC – lying motionless on the ground for more than 5 seconds, slow to get up off the ground
* Unsteady on feet or balance problems or falling over or poor coordination
* Confused
* Disorientated – not aware of where they are or who they are or the time of day
* Dazed, blank or vacant look
* Grabbing or clutching of head
* Behavioural changes g. more emotional or more irritable
𝙎𝙔𝙈𝙋𝙏𝙊𝙈𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝘾𝙐𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉
* Headache
* Dizziness
* Mental clouding, confusion, or feeling slowed down
* Visual problems
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fatigue
* Drowsiness/feeling like “in a fog“/difficulty concentrating
* “Pressure in head”
* Sensitivity to light or noise
𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣
“Recognise and remove” is an essential first line approach with concussion. However, diagnosing a concussion and managing the recovery thereafter, towards a return to sport can be challenging.
The Welsh Rugby Union and The FA recommend that all individuals suspected of sustaining a concussion should be seen by a Doctor with experience in concussion management prior to return to play.
At Pro Sports Medicine we can support you in this process… find our more about our Concussion Management Clinic here – https://prosportsmedicine.co.uk/concussion-clinic-cardiff/
