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A concussion is the mildest type of brain injury compared to other types of brain injuries. However, do not ignore this condition. Especially in the case of concussions affecting children, because they have not been able to communicate well.
Concussions can occur as a result of a violent impact on the head, for example, due to falls, traffic accidents, or while exercising. If you experience a head injury like that, it is advisable to go to a clinic or hospital.
Concussions do not always result in fainting or loss of consciousness. Some people may faint, forget about what happened before they experience a concussion or confusion. But, some others might not experience this.
Recovery time after you have a concussion will also vary from person to person. Some people recover in a few hours, others may take longer, it may take several weeks to recover. With enough rest, many people can truly recover from a concussion.
Types of Concussions
Concussions are divided into several types based on severity, namely mild, moderate, and severe. Here's an overview of the types of concussions:
- Mild concussion
Symptoms last less than fifteen minutes and sufferers do not experience loss of consciousness.
- Moderate concussion
Symptoms can last more than fifteen minutes and sufferers also do not experience loss of consciousness.
- Severe concussion
Characterized by loss of consciousness, even just for a few seconds. Also, a severe concussion may cause a loss of balance or memory loss (amnesia).
Symptoms of Concussion
Symptoms of a concussion can last a long time, it can also only be a few seconds, and sometimes the symptoms do not appear immediately after the injury. Here are some common symptoms of a concussion:
- Headache, nausea, and vomiting
- Feeling confused
- Blurred vision
- Sensitive to light or sound
- Difficulty in concentration
- Ears ringing
- Changes in behavior
Besides, there are also symptoms of a concussion that are classified as severe or including an emergency, including:
- Back pain or extreme pressure on the neck, head or back.
- Feels weak and even paralyzed in the limbs
- Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, feet, or fingers and
- Difficulty in maintaining balance and walking.
- Respiratory disorders.
First Aid for Brain Concussions
Here are a few steps to take if you see a person who has a concussion or yourself with a head injury:
- If the head hits hard, stop the activity immediately and sit quietly. Avoid repeating activities that cause concussions on the same day. This is because the brain needs time to recover. A second concussion can occur if you keep doing activities after the first concussion. When that happens, the symptoms of a concussion can become more severe and continue for a long time.
- If a concussion occurs in a child, adult supervision is needed to see if there is a change in behavior, because the child may have difficulty expressing what he is experiencing. Supervision is carried out at least 24 hours after injury.
- Do not give drugs without a doctor's prescription, especially those containing aspirin because it can trigger bleeding.
- Immediately consult a clinic or hospital.
Also, the important thing that you should pay attention to from a head injury is the possibility of injury to the neck nerve. When helping someone who has a head injury, it is important to maintain a stable head and neck position, to prevent the condition from getting worse. This is important because injuries to the nerves of the neck and spine can result in paralysis. If possible, patients can be given cervical or neck collar as a buffer, so that the head and neck remain stable.
Seek immediate ambulance assistance, or go to the nearest hospital to get the right treatment. To determine the condition of the brain, it may be necessary to support investigations such as X-rays, CT-scan, or MRI.
Always remember to protect the head, by using a helmet when riding on a motorcycle, using a seat belt when driving with a car, and using appropriate personal protective equipment when working or exercising. If you fall, protect your head with your hands or take a position to protect your head, to avoid the possibility of a concussion.
