Hit your head? What you need to know about concussion

We've all had times in our lives when we hit our head while playing, falling down stairs, or just slipping and falling. Sometimes it feels like "shooting stars," but it's forgotten after a while. But not every head injury should be dismissed as such. Because it may not be visible from the outside, it can be the beginning of a condition called a 'concussion' that affects the brain from the inside. Today, we'll talk about what a concussion is, how serious it is, and what we should do if it happens.

What exactly is a concussion?

Simply put, a concussion is an injury to the head. But it's not something that's visible on the outside like a cracked or fractured skull. It's something that happens to the brain. Think of our brain as a soft, jelly-like substance. It's floating inside the skull, surrounded by a protective cushion of cerebrospinal fluid. When we hit our head hard, fall off a bike, or get hit by a car, our soft brain inside the skull is jolted back and forth, sometimes even twisted, by the impact.

At that time, the very delicate nerves and blood vessels in the brain can be damaged or stretched. This condition is what we call a Concussion, or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. This is usually not life-threatening. However, its effects can be serious and can sometimes last for days, weeks, or even longer. Although a single concussion does not cause permanent brain damage, repeated concussions over a lifetime can affect the structure and function of the brain and cause serious complications.

What are the symptoms of a concussion? How do you recognize it?

When a concussion occurs, chemical changes occur in our brain. As a result, the brain temporarily stops working normally. Then the brain uses all its energy to heal itself. At that time, the brain sends signals to our body saying, "Stop working for a while and rest." Those signals are what we experience as symptoms.

These symptoms can appear immediately after a head injury, or they can appear hours or even days later. So even if you feel fine after a head injury, you should be aware of the symptoms that may occur later.

The table below clearly explains what these characteristics are.

If a baby or young child gets a concussion...

Even a small baby who can't express how they feel can develop this condition. That's why we as parents need to be very careful. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, young children may show things like:

• Crying or fussing more than usual.
• Reluctance to eat or drink milk.
• A blank stare with no emotion on the face.
• Waking up feeling unusually agitated even after sleeping well.
• Sudden change in sleep patterns (e.g., not falling asleep at usual times, feeling sleepy at odd times).

What causes a concussion? Who is at higher risk?

A concussion can be caused by anything that causes a sharp blow or jolt to the body. The impact is so severe that it causes the brain to jolt inside the skull and cause damage. The most common causes of this condition are:

• Falls (especially in the elderly and young children)
• Car and bicycle accidents
• Fights, assaults
• Sports injuries (especially in sports like rugby, football, boxing)

Although this can happen to anyone, the risk is higher for some people.

• People over 65 years of age and children under 4 years of age (due to increased risk of falls)
• People who do physically demanding jobs like carpentry, gardening, and construction
• Young children (because their bodies and brains are still developing and their balance control is not yet fully developed)
• Players who play hard-hitting games
• Anyone who has had a previous concussion

Why is it not good to think of a concussion simply? Possible complications

Although most people recover completely from a concussion, sometimes serious complications can occur, especially if there are repeated head injuries.

1. Post-concussion syndrome (PCS): This is when symptoms (such as headaches and dizziness) that occur after a concussion persist for weeks, months, or even more than a year.

2. Second-impact syndrome (SIS): This is a very dangerous condition . This can occur if you sustain another head injury before the first concussion has fully healed. This can lead to serious conditions such as brain swelling, bleeding in the brain, and even death. That's why doctors often advise against returning to sports until you're "fully recovered."

3. Other complications: Bleeding inside the skull or brain (intracranial hemorrhage), cerebral edema, and skull fractures may also occur.

4. Long-term effects: Repeated concussions over a lifetime increase the risk of developing a degenerative brain condition called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). It can also increase the risk of diseases such as depression and dementia.

How does a doctor know if you have a concussion?

Only a doctor can accurately determine whether you have a concussion. Therefore, if you have hit your head and have symptoms of a concussion, you should definitely see a doctor.

The doctor will examine you.

• Asks questions: What symptoms are you experiencing, how long have you had them, and how you got your head hurt.
• A physical and neurological exam will be performed: Your balance, gait, reflexes, eye function (how you respond to light), hearing, strength, and neck muscles will be checked.
• Tests thinking ability: Simple questions and puzzles can be given that measure memory, attention, and problem-solving ability.

What is the best treatment for a concussion?

The only and best treatment for a concussion is rest . You need to give your brain time to heal. That means not only physical rest, but mental rest as well.

Things not to do in the first few days after a concussion:

• Using your phone, watching TV, playing video games (the light from these can increase the amount of messages going to the brain and symptoms).
• Things that require more attention, like reading books, studying, and working.
• Any physical activity, such as exercising or playing sports.
• Driving.
• Drinking alcohol.

The doctor will tell you not to go to work and not to send your child to school for a few days. As your symptoms subside, you can slowly return to your normal activities. But if your symptoms return, you need to rest again . Listen to your body. Give it time to heal.

Isn't it better to let someone with a concussion sleep?

This is a big misconception among many people. The truth is, sleep is essential for recovering from a concussion . The brain repairs itself while we sleep. So whenever you feel sleepy, it's a good idea to get as much sleep as you need.

There was an old belief that someone with a concussion should be woken up every few hours. That's no longer necessary. But if someone is taking care of them, it's a good idea to check every few hours to see if they're breathing normally and sleeping without twitching.

Warning signs that require immediate referral to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU)!

If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head injury, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without delay . These may be signs of a serious condition such as bleeding in the brain.

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