Concussion

A concussion is usually a mild injury, but it can become serious if left untreated. Symptoms can come on straight away, or they may be subtle and take a while to develop.

Signs of concussion may include:

• headaches

• ringing in the ears

• tiredness

• nausea and vomiting

• sensitivity to light or noise

• trouble with sleep

• short periods of memory loss

• blurry vision or “seeing stars”

• a brief loss of consciousness – this may look to others like a blank expression, confusion or a delay in answering questions after a head injury

• changes in behaviour, such as being irritable or angry

• slurred speech

A concussion can last anywhere from a few days to months or longer, depending on how severe the injury was.

A concussion occurs when the brain slides back and forth against the inner walls of the skull. This injures the brain and affects how it works.  

A concussion can be caused by:

• a violent blow to the head and neck or upper body

• sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head – such as during a car crash, a trip, fall, or from a collision with another player in a sports game

A concussion can usually be diagnosed through a physical assessment, where a doctor or specialist will ask you about the kind of injury you’ve had, how it happened, and your symptoms.

Next, they may suggest a neurological exam to test your vision, hearing, strength, feeling, reflexes, balance, and coordination, as well as your memory, recall, and concentration levels.

You may also need:

• an MRI scan – if you have unusual symptoms, or if they’re taking longer than expected to go away

• a CT scan – used in the early stages of concussion to rule out any serious additional issues, but this is rare

Concussions are injuries that happen very suddenly. Because you can’t plan for them, you might not always be able to stop them from happening. But you can lower your risk by:

• wearing the right protective equipment for any activities or sports you play – especially helmets or headwear

• always wearing your seatbelt

• making sure your living spaces are free of clutter that could trip you up

• using proper tools or equipment to reach things at home – never stand on chairs, tables or countertops

Most concussions are mild, but if left untreated or if the injury was severe, a concussion can cause complications. 

The most common of these is post-concussion syndrome (PCS). It’s when recovering from a concussion takes longer than usual and symptoms continue for months, or even years, after the original injury.

Other complications of concussion are rare but serious, and include:

• bleeding inside your skull or brain

• swelling in your brain (cerebral oedema)

• midline shift – when your brain moves off-centre inside your skull

• a skull fracture

People who’ve had a concussion before are more likely to have another, more serious concussion if they start playing sports again too soon. This is called second-impact syndrome (SIS), which increases your chances of brain swelling and bleeding.

Having multiple concussions can also lead to other health conditions, including:

• chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – when areas of your brain don’t work properly

• depression or other mental health conditions

• dementia

• memory loss

No matter how mild you think your concussion is, it needs to be checked out by a doctor or specialist.

Once this is done, the best treatment for concussion is to rest completely (both mentally and physically) in the days after your injury, which will help your brain recover.

Other tips include:

• limiting activities that require lots of concentration – including playing video games, driving, watching TV, doing schoolwork, going to work, reading, texting or using a computer

• avoiding physical activities until your symptoms go away – this includes any sport or vigorous movement

• not drinking any alcohol until your symptoms have completely gone

• applying an ice pack to any areas of swelling

• gradually returning to normal activities once your symptoms improve, rather than rushing back

At Welbeck, our consultants in sports and musculoskeletal medicine are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.