Head Trauma - Concussions Can be Serious

Trauma and head concussions, some serious, are something we are hearing about too  frequently in the news lately, and they are primarily connected to sports, particularly football. The National Football League has cracked down on hits to the head to help protect the players from the long term effects of brain injuries.

It isn’t just the pros that need to be concerned, as there are more injuries in college and high school athletes as well. You can bump your head playing any sport, or fall and still suffer the consequences of the trauma. The National Conference on Concussion in Sports divides concussion into simple and complex types. Simple concussions resolve and the patient in functional within 7-10 days. A complex concussion affects the thought processes and more are common in patients with repeated concussion. We have certainly seen this within the boxing profession.

There is mandatory education required for school athletes and coaches this year. The reporting of injuries has improved as people become more knowledgeable about the symptoms of a concussion. Contrary to popular belief, a concussion is not a bruise to the brain caused by hitting a hard surface. Swelling and bleeding are not typically seen on medical scans. The injury actually occurs when the head is either accelerated rapidly then suddenly stopped, or if it is spun rapidly. The violent shaking of the brain causes the brain cells to become firing all its neurotransmitters at once in an unhealthy cascade which floods the brain with chemicals and it will deaden certain receptors linked to learning and memory

Sometimes the symptoms of a brain concussion are subtle and may not be readily apparent. The symptoms can last for an extended period of time, days, weeks or even longer. The two most common symptoms are confusion and amnesia, which may not be preceded by a period of unconsciousness but almost always causes a loss of memory of the trauma that caused the concussion.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms:

• Confusion
• Amnesia
• Headache
• Mild Dizziness to starry vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Other symptoms that may occur at a later time frame include:
• Memory or concentration problems
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep Disturbances
• Irritability
• Depression

Other symptoms that may occur at a later time frame include:

• Memory or concentration problems
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep Disturbances
• Irritability
• Depression

The majority of concussions repair on their own, but some blows to the head can cause more serious injuries. Per Mayo Clinic, it is important to seek medical advice if you have the following symptoms:

• Prolonged headache or dizziness
• Vision or eye disturbances, including pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Impaired balance
• Prolonged memory loss
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of smell or taste

Abusive head trauma in babies is also caused by someone shaking the baby vigorously out of anger, blows to the head, dropping or throwing the child, and it is the leading cause of death in the US in child abuse cases. They are usually infants 3-8 months, although it is seen in children up to 4 years old.  When someone forcibly shakes a baby, the child’s head rotates about the neck uncontrollably because the infant’s neck muscles aren’t well developed at this time. The violent movement pitches the brain back and forth against the skull, sometimes rupturing blood vessels and nerves throughout the brain and tearing the brain tissue. If the brain strikes against the skull, it causes bruising and bleeding.  Hitting a wall or mattress makes the injury even more severe.  It is fine to bounce a baby up and down on your knee, but shaking of any kind should be avoided.

With an adult or child the doctor will do a physical and ask details of your symptoms and the trauma that caused the head injury.   He will do a neurological exam.  A cat scan (CT) is usually ordered as a precaution. You may be hospitalized overnight for observation. 

Rest is the best recovery technique as healing takes time. Don’t take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications, as they can exacerbate bleeding, but Tylenol for pain is acceptable.  If you have a head injury while playing a sport, don’t resume play too quickly.  It is better to sit on the side lines and let a doctor determine if it is safe to resume play.

1. Wear a helmet for recreational activities.
2. Always buckle your seat belt.
3. Make you home as fall proof as possible.  Keep your home well lit, free of floor clutter, as falls around the house are the leading cause of head injuries for children and adults.
4. Use caution around swimming areas.  Don’t dive into water less than 9’ deep.
5. Wear sensible shoes.  If you are older it is better to wear thinner hard-soled shoes.

It is important in sports that sportsman like conduct be adhered to so trauma injuries are prevented.  If you suspect that what seemed like a minor fall now has some new symptoms be sure to get medical treatment as soon as possible. Trauma to the head causing a concussion can be serious and should be prevented at all times. 

The copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.