From NFL players to high school athletes, there are growing concerns about the impact of concussions. Whether the injury occurs during a sporting match or an everyday activity, knowing the signs of a concussion is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself or your loved one if a traumatic brain injury occurs.
A concussion is any injury that results from being hit on the head or body. The impact causes the brain to shake inside the skull, resulting in trauma. Unfortunately, even if the impact is severe enough to cause a major injury, it can be difficult to know whether or not you have a concussion.
One of the first steps coaches take after an athlete takes a hit is to ask the injured party how they feel. Often, a person who has received a concussion doesn’t know that they have one. They may feel fine and notice no immediate symptoms, but this doesn’t mean a concussion isn’t possible. To make sure the injured person is okay, watch them walk. If you notice that they are walking off-balance or wobbling, this may be a sign of a concussion or another serious injury.
Other physical symptoms to be on the lookout for include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, blurry or double vision, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and slow reaction times. In addition to physical symptoms, many mental or psychological signs may be present including mood changes, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or thinking, memory problems, and confusion.
Regardless of whether symptoms are obvious, the first thing you should do if you notice that someone may have sustained a concussion is to make sure they don’t return to serious physical activity immediately after the injury. If the person involved is an athlete, don’t allow them to return to playing their sport until they have fully recovered. This means there should be no symptoms at all for at least 24 hours.
In some cases, recovery doesn’t happen quickly. It’s important that the injured party receive rehabilitation in order to fully heal.
One of the best ways of dealing with concussions is to prevent them. Although it isn’t always possible to prevent a blow to the head, strengthening neck muscles with the help of a trainer can help reduce the likelihood of a concussion. Baseline tests are also available to understand how a person normally functions. The baseline test can be compared to future performance after an injury to determine whether or not an injury has fully healed.
If you’d like to learn more about how to recognize or prevent a concussion, click here to read an article about these kinds of injuries.
If you believe you or someone you know has received a concussion or has not been properly treated for a concussion due to the actions of a coach or other professional, a brain injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve. For immediate assistance, speak to a personal injury lawyer by calling 1-855-446-7765.
