Head injury can occur from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports and fighting/violent injury.
Head injury can occur from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports and fighting/violent injury.
EMERGENCY ROOM evaluation is advised if any of the following occurs: loss of consciousness (“blacked out”), fainting, weakness, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, severe headaches, visual loss/change, weakness of arm or leg, seizure, unequal pupil, bleeding or clear fluid from ears or nose.
Symptoms of concussion may be dizziness or feeling confused for several seconds or minutes after a head injury. Especially with sports/athletic injuries, a concussion can occur with no loss of consciousness. The brain can sustain injury from repeated head injury. Common symptoms from brain injury include: headaches, dizziness, confusion, trouble concentrating, memory loss, fatigue, and mood changes.
Avoid alcohol or any drugs that will alter your ability to detect worsening symptoms.
Concussions are “graded” according to symptoms (grade 3 is most serious).
GRADE 1: Concussion Head Injury
1) NO LOSS of consciousness and symptoms of concussion last fewer than 15 minutes
2) Athletes with a Grade 1 Head Injury: if this is the first concussion, they can play sports if they have NO symptoms at rest or exertion after 15 minutes
3) Athletes with a Grade 1 Head Injury: if this is the second concussion, they can play sports if they have NO symptoms at rest or exertion for one week
4) Athletes with a Grade 1 Head Injury: if this is the third concussion- consultation with a neurologist is advised before further sports participation and head injury
GRADE 2: Concussion Head Injury
1) NO LOSS of consciousness and symptoms of concussion longer than 15 minutes
2) Athletes with a Grade 2 Head Injury: if this is the first concussion can play sports if they have NO symptoms at rest or exertion for one week
3) Athletes with a Grade 2 Head Injury: if this is the second concussion can play sports if they have NO symptoms at rest or exertion for two weeks
4) Athletes with a Grade 2 Head Injury: if this is the third concussion they should consult with a neurologist about further sports and head injury risk
GRADE 3: Concussion Head Injury
1) LOSS of CONSCIOUSNESS of any duration ( seconds/minutes) is a Grade 3
2) This could be a potentially serious head injury within the brain and should have emergency room evaluation to examine for bleeding, fractures, and neck injuries
3) If this is the second or third concussion it is advised NOT to play sports until evaluation and discussion with a neurologist.
The American College of Neurologists Statement on Concussions:
http://www.aan.com/professionals/practice/pdfs/pdf_1995_thru_1998/1997.48.581.pdf