The concussion you may not see—and how to recognize the signs before a seemingly minor injury becomes something more.
Did you know you can have a concussion even without striking your head? Concussions are well known to all of us who watch professional football and are thus aware of the “minor” repeated concussions that result in the devastating disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Concussion Isn’t Always a Blow to the Head
Concussion, also called mild TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), is also the signature injury of America’s recent wars: Afghanistan and Iraq, in which our troops were exposed to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and to pressure waves from shoulder-fired weapons.
For civilians, motor vehicle accidents, even “minor” collisions can cause concussion, even when the occupant’s head does not strike anything in the car.
A “whiplash” injury, in which there is sudden flexion/extension of the neck, or a blow to the thorax may cause transient high pressure which can be transmitted to the brain and result in mild TBI, or concussion.
Know the Signs of a Concussion
Because concussion is best diagnosed and treated quickly, it’s important to know its clinical signs.
Feeling disoriented (not sure of the last play on the football field), “out of it,” dizzy, having headache (especially with nausea or vomiting), slowness of thought or difficulty with language—are all cardinal signs of a concussion.
They deserve immediate medical evaluation. A period of amnesia for the event, either after (anterograde amnesia) or before (retrograde amnesia) is also a warning sign for a concussion.
Early Treatment Matters
Early treatment includes both mental and physical rest initially, limited screen time, attention to regular sleep and then a gradual return to activities at work or school, with rest breaks in-between focused work.
Concussion affects brain function, is not trivial, and merits our attention.
