Many times the word “concussion” gets tossed around when someone has fallen or been hit in the head at a sporting event. But how many of us actually know what happens in the brain for a concussion to occur or how to gauge the seriousness of one?
A concussion is defined as a type of traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall or another injury that jars or shakes the brain. This blow or jolt to the head triggers a complex flood of physiologic events that lead to a disruption in the proper functioning of the brain reflected by a group of signs and symptoms.
Sometimes it’s easy to determine if a person has just experienced a concussion. They might pass out or have no recollection of what just happened to them. Other times they might appear fine and show symptoms hours later.
So, how do you know if that bump on your head is serious or not? It’s always best to see a doctor within one to two days of a concussion; however, be sure to seek emergency medical attention if you or a loved one experiences memory loss, a constant or worsening headache, dizziness, confusion, slow moving mental function or changes in behavior.
Through our Concussion Care Network, medical experts of Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital and Ascension can treat head injuries and concussions in both children and adults. Request an appointment today.