Let's simply learn about 'concussion', which occurs when the head is hit?

Imagine your child running and playing on the playground and suddenly falling and hitting their head. Or what if you were playing, suddenly hit by a car, or even just at home and slipped and fell and hit their head? Sometimes we may not pay much attention to it, thinking, "Oh, this is nothing serious." However, even a small bump or bump to the head like this can cause a condition called a 'concussion' that we are talking about today. So, let's find out exactly what this is, why it happens, and what to do if it happens.

What is a concussion? Let's understand it simply!

Simply put, a concussion is a temporary injury to your brain. To be precise, doctors call it a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) . Think about it this way: when you get a hard blow to the head, or your body is jolted suddenly, your brain hits the walls of your skull inside your head. Just like when you shake a water bottle hard, the water inside it bounces back and forth.

When the brain is hit in this way, brain cells (we call them neurons) can be temporarily damaged. Also, the functioning of brain chemicals (we call them neurotransmitters) can be a little disrupted. The important thing is that you don't have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Sometimes you may just feel a little dizzy or lightheaded.

How to recognize a concussion? Be aware of these symptoms!

The symptoms of a concussion can vary from person to person. Some people experience symptoms immediately, while others may not experience symptoms until a few hours or even a day or two later. Therefore, it is very important to pay close attention to these symptoms after a head injury.

Common Symptoms:

• Headache: This is the most common symptom.
• Dizziness: Can be felt while standing or walking.
• Confusion: Not remembering things like what happened or where you are.
• Nausea or Vomiting: Especially early in the injury.
• Difficulty walking, loss of balance (balance problems).
• Sensitivity to light or noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Memory problems: Forgetting what happened before or after the accident.
• Sleep changes: Sleeping more than usual, having difficulty falling asleep, or feeling sleepy all the time.
• Mood changes: Irritable, sad, anxious.

What if young children get a concussion?

Young children, especially babies who can't talk, may not be able to accurately describe these symptoms. So as parents, we need to pay special attention to these things:

• Constant crying, inconsolable.
• Change in eating patterns (loss of appetite, decreased milk intake).
• Big change in sleep pattern.
• Loss of interest in favorite toys.
• Seizures (this is a dangerous sign and requires immediate hospitalization).
• Constant drowsiness, difficulty waking up.

Important: After a head injury, especially in a child, don't ignore it as something minor. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's best to seek medical advice.

What are the "Danger Signs" of a concussion? If you see these, go to the hospital immediately!

Sometimes a concussion can be accompanied by a serious condition such as bleeding inside the brain (`(Brain Hemorrhage)`). Therefore, if any of these "Red Flag Signs" are present, the patient should be taken to the nearest hospital immediately without delaying even a minute .

• A headache that gets worse and is unbearable.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Difficulty speaking, slurred speech.
• Weakness in an arm or leg, numbness, and heaviness on one side when walking.
• Unequal size of the pupils in the two eyes (one large, one small).
• Convulsions or Seizures.
• A deep sleep that cannot be awakened or an unusual drowsiness.
• Confusion, restlessness, and anxiety are increasing.
• Loss of consciousness - even for a few seconds.
• Fever with a stiff or sore throat .

If any of these signs are present, it means that there may be serious brain damage. Therefore, immediate medical attention is needed.

What are the main causes of concussion?

There are many reasons why a concussion can occur. The main ones are:

• Sports injuries: Commonly seen in sports such as rugby, football, boxing, cycling, and cricket (hitting a ball to the head).
• Falls: Especially common among young children and the elderly. Things like slipping in the bathroom, falling down stairs.
• Car accidents: Even a minor accident can cause a head injury.
• Being struck by an object: Something falling on the head from above, being hit on the head during a fight.
• Playground accidents: falling off a swing, colliding with another child.

How is a concussion diagnosed?

If you or your child shows signs of a concussion after a head injury, it's important to see a doctor. The doctor will usually assess the condition by:

1. Asking questions: Asking about how the accident happened, what the symptoms are, how long they have been present, and whether they have had any head injuries before.

2. Physical examination: A neurological examination will be performed, specifically to check your vision, hearing, balance, reflexes, memory, and attention.

3. Sometimes a brain scan: A mild concussion usually does not require a `CT (Computed Tomography) scan` or `MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan`. However, if you have any of the above warning signs , or if your doctor suspects bleeding, swelling, or a skull fracture, these scans may be done.

How do you treat a concussion? What do you need to do to recover?

The main treatment for a concussion is rest . Yes, to be precise, giving the brain a rest.

1. Physical Rest:

• You should completely avoid all sports and strenuous activities. It is not good to do anything that involves running, jumping, or lifting weights.
• This rest is important until the doctor says, "Okay, now start again little by little."

2. Cognitive Rest:

This is also very important. You need to stay away from tasks that strain your brain for a while.

• Stop schoolwork and office work for a while.
• Reduce computer games, spending too much time on your phone, and watching TV.
• Take a break from work that requires a lot of thinking and focus.

Just think, since your brain has also suffered a minor injury, you need to give it time and rest to heal, right? Just like when you injure your leg, you give it rest.

3. Gradual Return to Activities:

After complete rest, it is not a good idea to immediately resume everything you did before. According to medical advice, you should return to normal activities gradually, step by step.

• Light work first: like taking a short walk or reading a book.
• Next up: a little more time off for school/work.
• Only then should you focus on things like sports. But first, you should start with light training and gradually increase the intensity.
• "Return to Learn" should come before "Return to Play." That is, you should think about sports only after you can do your schoolwork properly.

4. Painkillers:

Your doctor may prescribe a medicine like `(Paracetamol)` for a headache. However, do not take `(Aspirin)` or other `(NSAIDs - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)` type painkillers (e.g. `Ibuprofen, Diclofenac`) without medical advice. These can sometimes increase the risk of bleeding.

How long does it take to heal?

Most of the time, the symptoms of a concussion will subside completely within a few days, two to three weeks, or a month. However, some people, especially young people, those who have had a previous concussion, or those with very severe symptoms, may take longer to recover.

What is Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)?

Sometimes, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even longer after a concussion. This is a condition we call Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) .

• Persistent headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Anger
• Insomnia
• Attention and memory problems
• Sensitivity to light and sound

If you have a situation like this, you should definitely see a doctor and, if necessary, seek specialist care.

What can we do to prevent concussion?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So here are some things we can do to reduce the risk of concussion:

• Wearing protective helmets: Be sure to wear a quality helmet when riding bicycles, motorcycles, or playing high-impact sports such as rugby, cricket (batting, wicketkeeping).
• Wear seatbelts when riding in vehicles. Use car seats that are suitable for small children.
• Home safety: Reduce the risk of falls for young children and the elderly. Things like removing slippery objects from the floor, installing handrails on stairs, and ensuring good lighting.
• Make sure the areas where children play are safe. They should be free of sharp edges and rocks and gravel.
• Follow the rules when playing games. Avoid unnecessary conflicts.

What if you suspect you have a concussion?

"When in doubt, sit them out/take them out."

This is the most important thing. Especially if you hit your head during a game, and if you are unsure whether it is a concussion or not, do not continue playing and get out/remove the person involved. Because if you get another concussion before the first one heals, the damage it can do to the brain is very serious. It is called `Second Impact Syndrome` , and it can be life-threatening.

Therefore, if you hit your head and have symptoms, definitely see a doctor. Don't panic (worry - worry) for a speedy recovery. Give your brain the time it needs to heal.

Finally, remember this (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so I hope you now have a better understanding of concussion. Remember, don't take even a minor blow to the head lightly.

• Be aware of the symptoms.
• If there are dangerous signs, go to the hospital immediately.
• Don't forget that the most important thing for recovery is rest - both physical and mental rest.
• Follow medical advice exactly and don't rush back to work.
• Make every effort to prevent it.

Take care of your safety and that of your loved ones. The brain is the most valuable organ in our body. It is our responsibility to take care of it.

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