Brain Injury - Concussion - Diagnosis & Management
Expertise
Trained at Walter Reed and Children's National Medical Center, AMC Dr. Rotenberg manages head injury and concussion in children and young adults.
Some facts:
Concussion can have a delayed onset
Concussion's effects can last longer in children than in adults.
Concussion and Mild TBI
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.
Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.
Symptoms of concussion usually fall into four categories:
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Difficulty thinking clearly |
Headache |
Irritability |
Sleeping more than usual |
Feeling slowed down |
Nausea or vomiting |
Sadness |
Sleep less than usual |
Difficulty concentrating |
Sensitivity to noise or light |
More emotional |
Trouble falling asleep |
Difficulty remembering new information |
Feeling tired, having no energy |
Nervousness or anxiety |
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Some of these symptoms may appear right away, while others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person starts resuming their everyday life and more demands are placed upon them. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand why they are having problems and what their problems really are, which can make them nervous and upset.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be missed by the person with the concussion, family members, or doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently.
See Getting Better, for tips to help aid your recovery after a concussion.
If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, implement your 4-step action plan:
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention:Danger Signs in Adults
In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. Contact your health care professional or emergency department right away if you have any of the following danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body:
The people checking on you should take you to an emergency department right away if you:
Danger Signs in Children
Take your child to the emergency department right away if they received a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, and:
According to the Vienna Concussion Conference Recommendations, athletes should complete the following step-wise process prior to return to play following concussion:
The goal of concussion treatment is to allow the brain injury to heal. Treatment of concussions differs depending on the level of severity. Concussion treatment may include:
Adapted From: