Did you hit your head somewhere? Should we check if it's a concussion? Let's learn about this test!

Have you ever hit your head while playing, running, jumping, or just sitting? Well, it's very common, especially among young children and those who play sports. Sometimes a little bump may seem like no big deal. However, we need to be a little more careful about certain head injuries, such as concussions . So today, let's talk about what a concussion is, what tests are done for it, and what we need to know.

What is a concussion? Simply put...

Think of your head as a coconut, with your brain safely inside. But if you suddenly hit your head hard somewhere, or if your head is suddenly jerked forward, backward, or to the side due to a strong blow to the body, the brain inside your head can shake a little. That's what we call a concussion, a temporary, mild injury to the brain. To be precise, doctors call this a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can temporarily disrupt the normal functioning of the brain.

How do I know if I have a concussion?

Here's a common misconception. That is, a concussion only occurs when you lose consciousness. In fact, most people who have a concussion never lose consciousness. You, your child, or someone close to you may have a concussion and not even know it. That is why it is important to see a doctor to get checked out, even if you think it is "just a minor injury."

Imagine your little one falls off a chair and hits his head while playing. He cries for a while and then starts playing again. You might think, "Oh, it's okay." But it's better to keep an eye on it, as some symptoms may appear later.

What are the symptoms of a concussion? Watch out for these!

The symptoms of a concussion can vary from person to person. Some appear immediately after the injury, while others may appear hours or even days later. Here are some of the main symptoms you may notice:

• Headache: This is the most common symptom.
• Nausea or vomiting: You may feel like your stomach is churning and you may feel like you are going to vomit.
• Confusion: A feeling of disorientation, such as "What happened? Where am I?"
• Temporary loss of consciousness: It doesn't happen to everyone, but it can happen to some.
• Loss of balance/dizziness/fainting: You may feel "like you're spinning around", "like you're shaking even when you're standing".
• Vision problems: You may see things in two parts (double vision) or see things in a blurry way (blurry vision).
• Ringing in the ears: It sounds like a "ringing..." sound.
• Sensitivity to light and sound: Lights out and sounds seem very difficult.
• Fatigue or drowsiness: Just feeling tired, sleepy.
• Changes in sleep patterns: You may sleep more or less than usual, or you may not be able to sleep at all.
• Difficulty understanding and/or concentrating: It seems like something is not going through your head, and it is difficult to keep your mind on one thing.
• Depression or sadness: Just feeling sad, feeling frustrated.
• Irritability, restlessness, and anxiety: Getting angry over small things, feeling like you're not okay.
• Feeling "just not right" or "in a "fog": As if the brain is not thinking, everything is unclear.
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and/or memory loss.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms after a head injury, you should definitely seek medical advice.

When should you get tested for a concussion?

Simply put, if you hit your head somewhere, or if your neck suddenly jerks and causes an impact to your head (like ``Whiplash''), it's a good idea to get tested to see if you have a concussion. These tests check your ``Cognition'', which is how your brain thinks, how you understand information, and your ability to remember things like that.

Concussion testing is an important tool that helps doctors determine if a concussion is present. A quick diagnosis can help plan appropriate treatment and speed recovery. This test is also repeated during recovery to see how well the brain is recovering.

What does a concussion test look at in the brain?

A concussion test examines various brain functions. The main ones are:

• Alertness: How alert you are.
• Memory: How is short-term and long-term memory?
• Attention and concentration: How long you can focus on one thing and think about it continuously.
• Speed ​​of thinking and solving problems: Can you answer questions quickly and think things through?
• Ability to recall information.
• Vision.
• Balance and coordination.
• Reflexes.
• Hearing.

What are concussion tests? How are they done?

There are many types of concussion tests. These can be very simple questionnaires, symptom checklists, etc. Some are done by sports coaches and doctors, while others are self-administered.

The most important thing: These concussion assessment tools are not a substitute for a medical examination. If a player, especially a young player under 18, gets a concussion, it is never a good idea to send them back to play the same day. They should be removed from the game until a doctor evaluates them and says it is safe to play.

Here are some examples:

Popular concussion assessment tools

• SAC (Standardized Assessment of Concussion) Test: This is used to assess the immediate mental state of players, either on the field or in the emergency room. It involves asking them the day and time, asking them to remember some words and repeat them, and asking them to say some numbers to the other side. It takes about 5 minutes.
• SCAT 5 (Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5): This is a more detailed test for people over 13 years old. In addition to the content of the SAC test, it also includes things like a neck examination, body balance assessment, and a symptom checklist. There is also a separate version for younger children (6-12 years old).
• King-Devick test: This involves reading a series of randomly generated numbers from cards. This is done before the start of a game and the time is noted. This is done again after the head injury. If it is about 5 seconds later than the previous time, a concussion is suspected.
• BESS (Balance Error Scoring System): This measures balance. You have to stand with your eyes closed and your hands on your hips for about 20 seconds in various positions on a stable surface and an unstable surface (e.g. on a foam).
• ACE (Acute Concussion Evaluation): This is a tool used by doctors. It collects a lot of information, such as the cause of the concussion, symptoms (there is a list of 22 points), memory problems, previous concussions, and other medical conditions.
• ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test): This is a computer-based test, especially for players over the age of 12. It measures various brain functions, such as memory, reaction time, and number recognition.

Even if these tests suggest a concussion, you should definitely see a doctor. The doctor will do a complete physical examination, checking your vision and balance. If necessary, an MRI or CT scan may be done to check for bruising or bleeding inside the brain. There is also a blood test called the ``Brain Trauma Indicator''. This measures two special proteins that are released into the blood when there is a minor injury to the brain. If these proteins are present, it can be assumed that there may be bleeding inside the brain.

What are baseline and sideline tests for athletes?

These are mostly done on school-level athletes. Those who play high-impact sports take a baseline concussion test before the start of the season. This measures their general brain function – things like memory, thinking speed, and attention. This computerized test is like a video game.

If a player gets a head injury during the game, they are removed from the game and this test is done again. Then we can compare the results with the previous baseline to see if there is a difference.

Sideline Concussion Evaluation is another simple method. A player suspected of having a concussion is taken to the side and brain activity is monitored. Common questions asked include:

• "What is the name of the opposing team? What is the score?" (See short-term memory)
• "Tell me your name and date of birth." (See long-term memory)
• "Try to say the months of the year on the other side." (A complex task)

Again, no player with a suspected concussion should be allowed to return to play without a doctor's approval! Although these tests may provide some information, a doctor's conclusion is the most important.

Can you do a little test at home?

First, remember this: Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose a concussion. However, if someone you know has hit their head (for example, if your child falls while playing, or if an elderly person falls), there are some things you can do to gather information before you see a doctor. This information will be very helpful to the doctor.

Here are some questions you can ask and things you can observe at such a time:

• Ask the person who hit their head for their name, location, time, day, and what happened.
• Have them say the word "world" letter by letter. (Example: ಯ-ಕ-ಓ-ಲ)
• Ask if he has a headache, dizziness, or nausea .
• Ask him to look at your finger and see if he follows it with both eyes. (Make a big "X" in front of him with your finger.)
• Ask if there is numbness or weakness anywhere on your body .
• See if he stutters when he speaks or if his words are unclear .
• See if the pupils in his eyes are the same size, and if one is bigger/smaller .
• Go outside and see if he's having trouble with the noise .
• Is there a change in his behavior? See if he seems more agitated, irritable, confused, or sleepy than usual.

But remember, you should never diagnose a concussion on your own. If you hit your head anywhere, even if it's a minor injury, you should definitely see a doctor. The doctor will make a diagnosis by doing his or her own tests and, if necessary, doing scans.

What do the test results say? What do you do next?

Each concussion test has a scoring system. The doctor will combine these test results, your symptoms, and the results of other tests to determine whether you have a concussion.

If you have a concussion, your doctor will talk to you about a ``recovery plan.'' It usually includes things like:

• Sleep and rest better than usual. But it's not good to just sit around and do nothing, because that can delay recovery.
• Identify triggers that increase concussion symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop what you are doing and rest.
• As your symptoms subside, gradually return to daily activities.
• If the person with the concussion is a student, make a plan for when they start going back to school (by talking to teachers, school nurses, and counselors).
• Sports coaches and school or organization concussion protocols are the rules and procedures for caring for someone (often a student-athlete) who has suffered a head injury.

Shall we take a look at the eyes? - Concussion eye exam

The black part in the middle of your eyes (we call it the pupil) should generally be the same size in both eyes. Also, they should quickly constrict when light hits them.

A simple test to check for a concussion is to hold a dim flashlight up to the eye and look at it. If the iris does not dilate quickly in response to light, or if it does, it can be a sign of a brain injury (e.g., increased intracranial pressure - ICP). If the iris does not respond to light at all, it can be a sign of serious brain damage.

Also, the shape of the black ring finger is important. Normally, they should be round. If they have an oval shape, that can also be a sign of a brain disorder.

Finally, things to remember

Although a concussion is a mild brain injury, it is not something to be taken lightly. Concussion tests are relatively simple and quick tools that help doctors make a diagnosis. However, doctors do not use these tests alone to determine whether a concussion has occurred. They also perform a full examination, including scans if necessary.

If you get diagnosed early and manage it properly, you can recover quickly and prevent further damage.

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So, if you hit your head anywhere, no matter how big or small, you should definitely see a doctor and get advice. That's the best thing for your safety and speedy recovery. Do you understand?

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