A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain within your skull. Concussions can happen after an impact on the body, most often on your head.

This impact causes a biochemical imbalance within the brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and loss of energy within the brain.

It’s not actually your brain getting bruised against your skull as we once thought.

This video explains concussion:

Signs of a concussion

Concussions cannot be seen on X-rays, CT scans or MRIs so it’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms.

A sign is something others see happening to you.

Clutching of the head following a tackle or fall
Lack of balance, loss of coordination and stumbling around
Loss of consciousness - this is the really obvious one but it only happens in 10% of concussion. You can have a concussion without loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of a concussion

A symptom is something you feel within yourself.

Everyone experiences concussion differently but if you have one or more of these 22 symptoms after a hit to your head or body, you must be checked for a concussion.

Physical symptoms

Headache
Neck pain
Sensitivity to light/noise
Visual problems
Dizziness
Balance issues
Nausea
Vomiting

Thinking (cognitive) symptoms

Memory issues
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Feeling slowed down
Feeling “in a fog”
Trouble thinking clearly

Emotional symptoms

Anxiety
Nervousness
Depression
Sadness
Irritability
Heightened emotions

Sleep symptoms

Fatigue
Low energy
Sleeping more or less
Difficulty falling asleep

How long does a concussion last?

You will probably feel ‘back to normal’ after 7 to 10 days. But, that’s just the initial symptoms fading. Your brain energy levels do not fully recover until after 22 days at least, sometimes it takes 45 days.

The time between these two points - when you feel better and when your brain has recovered - is the most dangerous period.

If you injure yourself again during this time, you may end up with a more serious brain injury.

What is the treatment for concussion?

Not rest. Rest does not work and it can make you worse.

The 5 most effective evidence-based treatments for concussion are:

Exercise therapy
Manual therapy (like chiropractic) and neck rehabilitation
Diet and nutritional changes
Vestibular and visual rehabilitation
Education and reassurance

More information on concussion

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