Recognising Concussion
Concussions are an evolving functional injury to the brain. Prompt assessment by a medical professional is mandatory, particularly prior to resuming sporting activities. This is to ensure there is no indication of structural or other significant concerns, and to safely guide your return to sport and a normal day-to-day life.
- Concussion can occur with a sudden impact to the body, not just to the head.
- Concussion often occurs without any loss of consciousness.
- Symptoms will progress over time, which may cause you to experience various symptoms at different times.
Our brain performs a range of different functions, and a concussion can impact any or all of these areas. Symptoms you may typically observe include:
- Headache
- Lethargy/sleep disturbances
- Balance difficulties
- Disorientation and concentration issues
- Temporary loss of memory
- Mood changes (e.g. being more irritable or emotional than usual)
- Blurred vision
In addition, even when an athlete feels they have fully recovered, 30% will still experience subtle ongoing symptoms. Therefore obtaining medical clearance before returning to play is also vital. And while most will fully recover in the first 2 weeks, this does not mean all will. Some concussions take several weeks or even months to fully resolve.
Early Management
- Rest – including both physical and cognitive loading.
- Schedule a non-urgent follow-up with your GP or sports physician to confirm the diagnosis, and help guide a reloading plan back into school, work, and training.
- If any concerns or abnormal behaviour is suspected, call emergency services. While extremely rare in sports, structural brain injuries (such as bleeding within the brain) can still occur and should be considered an emergency.
Delayed Concussion
Although most concussions resolve rapidly, unfortunately some individuals may experience delayed and persistent symptoms. If your concussion symptoms are not resolving as expected, a review with a specialist is recommended. Integration with neurovestibular rehab and other interventions can aid in recovery, as can certain medications.
Pre-season Testing
While mandatory in elite sports, pre-season baseline testing can be valuable. Especially recommended for those with a history of concussion, baseline testing allows any future suspected concussions to be compared to your normal results, monitor recovery, and any changes over time.