Did you hit your head? Did it feel like you were 'falling out of a star'? Let's learn exactly what a concussion is!

Feeling like "shooting stars" when you hit your head while playing, feeling like your head is "stirring" for a while after falling off a bike... These are things we often hear about and perhaps have experienced, right? Most of the time, we don't pay much attention to these things, thinking "it will be okay in a little while." But this is actually what we medically call a concussion . Although this is usually not life-threatening, its effects can be serious. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.

Simply put, what is this concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the head. To be precise, it is a type of traumatic brain injury . It happens when your brain is jolted back and forth inside your head due to a sudden jolt or blow.

Think of it this way. We put jelly in a glass ball. What happens if we hit the ball hard? The jelly inside the ball shakes and shakes, doesn't it? That's how it is. Our brain is also a soft tissue like jelly. It is protected inside our skull by a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. When we get a hard blow to the head, the shock travels through the skull and causes the brain to shake. This shaking can cause the delicate nerves and blood vessels in the brain to be pulled and injured.

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

When a concussion occurs, the injured brain uses all its energy to heal itself. At that time, the brain sends signals to our body saying, "Work a little harder, rest." Those signals are what we feel as symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms can appear immediately after the injury . But for some people, symptoms don't appear until a few hours, or even days later.

These symptoms can be divided into four main categories.

What if babies and children get a concussion?

Concussions can be difficult to recognize in young infants and children who cannot express their feelings. In addition to the symptoms listed above, they may also show the following:

• Crying more often than usual, always being anxious.
• Not wanting to drink milk or eat food.
• Staring blankly without any emotion.
• Even after sleeping well, you wake up feeling angry all the time.
• Sudden change in sleep patterns (e.g., not sleeping at the usual time, feeling sleepy at odd times).

What are the main causes of concussion?

Anything that causes a strong enough shock to the body to cause a concussion can cause a concussion. The most common causes in our country are:

• Falls: especially from a height, slipping in the bathroom.
• Motor vehicle accidents: Car, three-wheeler or bike accidents.
• Sports accidents: Accidents that occur in sports such as rugby, cricket (hitting a ball on the head), and football.
• Assaults: Hitting the head during fights.

Are there any complications that can occur due to this condition?

Yes. A concussion, especially a repeat one, can lead to serious complications.

• Post-concussion syndrome (PCS): This is when symptoms persist for weeks, months, or even a year or more after a concussion.
• Second-impact syndrome (SIS): This is a very dangerous condition . It can occur if the head is hit again before the first concussion has fully healed. This can cause severe swelling of the brain, which can be life-threatening.
• Other complications: Although rare, bleeding inside the skull or brain (intracranial hemorrhage), cerebral edema, or skull fractures can occur.

How do you know for sure if you have a concussion?

Only a doctor can confirm whether you have a concussion. If you have hit your head, or if you think you have symptoms of a concussion, you should definitely see a doctor.

The doctor will examine you.

• It tests your reflexes, body balance, and coordination .
• Your vision , eye function, and how it responds to light are checked.
• Tests hearing, strength, and neck muscles .
• Perhaps you can ask them short questions or have them do some small activities to test your memory, problem-solving skills, and attention .

A CT scan or MRI scan cannot directly tell if you have a concussion. However, if there is a suspicion of a serious condition, such as bleeding or swelling in the brain, your doctor may recommend such a test to confirm it.

What is the best treatment for a concussion?

The most important and best treatment for a concussion is rest. You need to give your brain and body time to heal.

What do you want to do?

• Rest: Avoid any activity for the first few days.
• Pay attention to your symptoms: Identify activities that make your symptoms worse. For example, if you get a headache while reading a book, stop reading and rest.
• Start working out gradually: Once your symptoms subside, gradually return to your daily activities. But if your symptoms return, take a break again.
• Get enough sleep: Sleep is one of the main ways the brain heals, so get enough sleep.

What should you not do?

It is very important to stay away from the following things as much as possible, at least for the first day or two.

• Using the phone.
• Watching TV, playing video games.
• Reading books, studying.
• Working at work.
• Any type of exercise or physical activity.
• Driving.
• Drinking alcohol.

In what cases should you go to a hospital (ETU) immediately?

If you have a head injury and have any of the following warning signs , go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately . These could be signs of a serious condition, such as a brain hemorrhage.

Is it good to take painkillers?

After a head injury, do not take over-the-counter painkillers (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac) before seeing a doctor . Some painkillers thin the blood, which can be very dangerous if there is bleeding inside the brain. Your doctor will tell you which medications are safe for you to take.

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