You need to recognize the signs or symptoms of a concussion if you have hit your head. A blow to the head in sports or an accident can be very dangerous. A concussion is very difficult to recognize, here are some indicators that you might have a head concussion. The first thing you need to do after having “your bell rung” or a blow to the head is relax and seek some medical advise. If in the first few minutes to an hour if you are having headaches or dizziness this could be a sign that you have a concussion.
There are 3 different grades or levels of a head concussion. Stage 1 is the least and grade three is the worst. Normally in stage 1 you do not lose consciousness but will have poor concentration and nausea. The next two grades are more dangerous and you should get to your doctor or hospital emergency room. You should not drive yourself but have someone take you. If you are having trouble with loud noises, bright lights or your vision is blurred this could be a sign of a grade 2 or 3 concussion.
One thing to always remember if you have suffered a concussion it is far easier for you to have a second concussion later on from a blow to the head SIS second impact. A concussion occurs as a result of a violent blow to the head that causes the brain to shake inside the skull.
They can range to mild to very serious. Look for certain symptoms in the event someone may have a concussion. First talk to the individual. Ask them how they are feeling headache, dazed, confused, nauseated, double vision, blurred vision, ringing in ears . During their responses listen for slurred speech and watch their eye movements. Make sure they are looking at you, not past you. Ask them if they know present information, such as where you are, the day, time, month, what they are doing. Difficulty concentrating and decreased balance skills are other symptoms that may occur.
Next, ask them to remember simple key words, such as candy, apple, butter, fork, and tree. Talk to them about other things for a few minutes and ask them to recall the words. They should be able to do this fairly easily, if not, this is a red flag. Another big red flag is sudden personality changes you should watch for emotional changes. An increased sensitivity to light and or noise is usually present.
If loss of consciousness occurs, immediate medical help is needed. Following the initial blow to the head, fatigue, amnesia, disrupted sleep patterns, increased irritability, and emotional problems may occur. Every individual is different, therefore it is important to remember that all of the symptoms may be present or just a couple. Regardless, it is imperative to get medical attention right away.
To prevent concussions and other traumatic head injuries be sure that all helmets are fitted properly and are regularly inspected for safety. Hit with your head up! Athletes need to be taught the proper way to hit and all rules need to be followed. Do not allow the athlete to return if any symptoms are present, this could be extremely dangerous.
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