Concussion and Its Effects: A Detailed Understanding

You're on the football ground playing a match with your friends. Suddenly, you trip over and hit your head on the hard ground, making you feel like you can see stars (yes, in the scene from cartoons). Your friends hover over you.

"Can you see one of me, or should I stand still until you stop seeing double?" someone jokes.

You laugh.

You're okay. Your friends breathe a sigh of relief over their lukewarm teasing. What everyone was quietly worried about was if you had a concussion. Now, let's talk about it.

A concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, is a head injury that affects brain function. They usually happen due to an impact on the head and are actually pretty common.

But how serious is it?

If treated, not that serious. But if not, well.

Untreated concussions can lead to significant health risks:

• Post-concussion syndrome can cause lingering symptoms that may last weeks, months, or even more than a year after the initial concussion.

• Second Impact Syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition where a second head injury occurs before the first concussion has fully healed, resulting in death in about half of cases and permanent brain damage in the others.

• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive disease caused by multiple concussions, leading to long-term brain degeneration.

Timely recognition and response to concussions can prevent additional injury and support full recovery. With appropriate treatment, most people recover, but untreated and repeated concussions can lead to serious injury or, even worse, death. We must be able to recognise the signs and symptoms for safety.

It is necessary to note that 80-90% of concussions get resolved within seven to 10 days. However, in some cases, symptoms may persist longer than that, and proper diagnosis must be sought.

So, what are the repercussions of concussions?

Symptoms can appear immediately or develop gradually over time. It's also important to note that a concussion can occur even without a loss of consciousness. The physical symptoms are the most easy to spot(are often the most noticeable)-

• Headaches

• Neck pain

• Dizziness or balance issues

• Nausea and vomiting

• Double vision

• Blurred vision

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Sensitivity to sounds (hyperacusis)

• Temporary loss of consciousness (fainting)

• Weakness in the arms or legs

• Slurred speech

• Impaired physical coordination, including stumbling or increased clumsiness

Cognitive function refers to how well your brain operates and regulates the rest of your body. A concussion can disrupt this function, causing:

• Confusion

• A feeling of being in a fog or not quite yourself

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

• Short-term memory loss or amnesia

The brain also controls your natural sleep cycles (circadian rhythm), signalling when to sleep and wake up. A concussion can disrupt these cycles, leading to:

• Drowsiness or fatigue

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Sleeping less or more than usual

As a physical injury, a concussion can also impact mental and emotional well-being, with symptoms such as:

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Depression

• New or increased anxiety

You have seen Premier League matches being stopped after two players collided with their heads; the same happens in the NFL, or even in the second T20I between India and South Africa when Tilak Verma fell on his head.

You've seen the physios run to the field and talk to the player. Play only resumes after the physios give a green signal. What do they do? Check for a concussion. However, you don't have to be an athlete to have concussions.

A fall- You slipped and hit your head. Must check for concussion. Prevention is always better than cure.

Motorcycle accident- Helmets can only protect you so much. Get yourself checked.

Physical assault- You have been in a nasty fight. You feel like you may not have hit your head, but a blow that hurts your body can also have a damaging effect on your brain. You probably did not think out the fight, but definitely think out the causal effect. And a concussion could very well be one.

Sports Injury- Probably the most common cause of concussions. While it's tough to completely prevent them during physical activities, getting checked is crucial if you suspect you've had one.

It is also important to note that people at higher risk for concussions include those over 65, children under four, and anyone more prone to falls.

Once you've felt the symptoms, it's best to get yourself to your healthcare provider. A concussion needs to be monitored, and it's absolutely necessary to prevent any strenuous activities while you recuperate.

You need to rest and avoid doing tasks that require you to focus intensely. The operating keyword is 'rest'. Get your full sleep at night and even take naps during the day if you feel like it.

Myths Around Concussions?

There are some common misconceptions when it comes to detecting and treating concussions. Let's discuss-

Myth: You need to lose consciousness to have a concussion

Fact: This is probably the most common misconception surrounding concussions and also the most dangerous one. Research shows only 10% of concussions include loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness is also not indicative of the concussion being more severe.

Myth: Helmets can prevent concussions.

Fact: Although modern helmet designs are effective in preventing skull fractures and some serious brain injuries, they have not been shown to effectively prevent concussions.

Myth: You have to suffer a blow to your head to get a concussion

Fact: We mostly hear about intense sports-related head injuries that lead to concussions. Even though that is a prevalent cause, concussions can even happen during day-to-day activities. Concussions can occur from a sudden bump or jolt to the body that causes the head to shake, like a fall down the stairs or a car accident.

Myth: Children can recover from concussions more easily compared to adults.

Fact: Children, especially adolescents and young teenagers, may require longer recovery times and more careful treatment for concussions than adults.

Myth: You should not sleep if you have a concussion.

Fact: This is again a common misconception that has led people to believe that if people with concussions were allowed to sleep, they would slip into a coma. In truth, people who have suffered concussions need to sleep to give their brains the cognitive rest they need.

Myth: If there are no immediate symptoms, you probably don't have a concussion

Fact: There are cases when symptoms show up after hours, days, or even possibly a week.

Myth: If you feel okay, you can go back to playing

Fact: Since it may take some time for the symptoms to show up, it is simply good sense to avoid going back to your game and ensure proper rest until you have been cleared by a medical professional.

Concussions are common and easily curable. The only gap that needs to be filled is being aware of the symptoms and taking corrective measures. It is in our best interest to be mindful of them and not dismissive of them.

For such a common injury, it is alarming that most people are still heavily misinformed about it. We can try to educate ourselves about the symptoms, and it can pay off in preventing any potentially life-threatening consequences.

Sporting bodies have taken on the onus to protect players from concussion. Football associations around the world have ruled to stop games to check for concussions. Many FAs worldwide have banned their youth academy players from heading the ball before certain ages.

However, since concussions can happen to anyone at any time, we cannot keep prevention limited to the fields. Just like CPR, concussion checks should also be taught in schools, corporations, and businesses. This will help people receive some form of diagnosis from the first responders, reducing risks considerably.

In conclusion, concussions are unavoidable. Especially if you play sports. But it does help to educate yourself about it. Getting a concussion should not be the end of the world. If you do get a concussion, speak to your doctor and find out what could be done medically so there are no long-term effects. A serious injury like a concussion should not be taken lightly. If you are an athlete (amateur or professional), a parent, or just someone with active hobbies, being aware of the signs, symptoms, and proper treatment protocols is important for making sure you recover fully. Our brain is resilient but also requires time and care to heal. Rest and medical advice can help. Being proactive can ensure safer working environments and protect your well-being, concussion or no concussion.