Table of contents:
- What is a concussion?
- What causes a concussion?
- What are the features and symptoms of a concussion?
- Immediately take it to the doctor!
Concussions usually occur in children, but adults can also have concussions for a variety of reasons. This can be cured, but your brain condition may not be the same as it was before. To avoid concussion, it's best to protect your head well, especially when riding a motorbike, cycling or playing sports. What are the most common symptoms of a concussion? Check out the following information first.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can impact your brain function. The effects are usually temporary, such as headaches, problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination.
A concussion doesn't always result in fainting or loss of consciousness. Some people may pass out, forget about what happened before the concussion, or be confused. However, some others may not experience this.
The recovery time after you have a concussion will vary from person to person. Some people recover within a few hours, some may take longer, it may take several weeks to recover. With adequate rest, many people can actually recover from a concussion.
What causes a concussion?
The brain is a soft organ surrounded by cerebral fluid and protected by a tough skull bone. This fluid around your brain acts as a cushion to protect the brain from colliding with the skull and from the outside. However, when your head is hit very hard, your brain can hit your skull, resulting in injury.
There are many reasons for a concussion. A concussion can be caused by a hard blow to the head or body, a fall, an accident while riding a motor vehicle, sports (especially those at high risk, such as football, rugby, and boxing), or other injuries that can vibrate your brain and skull. The most common causes of concussions in adults are falls and motorbike accidents.
What are the features and symptoms of a concussion?
Many cases of concussions occur in children and adolescents, between the ages of 5-14 years. This is usually caused by sports and falls while playing, such as playing bicycles. However, concussions in children may be more difficult to recognize because they can't describe how they feel.
Some of the signs of a child with a concussion are:
- Confusion
- Tiring easily
- More cranky or irritable
- Loses balance and falters when walking
- Cry often
- Diet and sleep patterns change
- Lack of enthusiasm when doing activities, for example, playing
Meanwhile, the signs and symptoms of a concussion that appear in adults are:
- Headache
- Feeling like the head is being pressed
- Momentary loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Amnesia or forgetfulness about what happened to him before
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Long time in answering questions
If you experience a hard impact on your head and after that you feel the signs and symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.
Immediately take it to the doctor!
Although it is a minor brain injury, a concussion can cause more serious problems. Recurring or severe concussions can cause long-term problems, such as problems with movement, learning, or speaking.
You need to remember that after you have a concussion, your brain is more sensitive to any damage. So, if you have a concussion, you should immediately get checked out and follow treatment from a doctor until you are completely recovered, and avoid activities that can harm your brain.
