0

Your Cart is Empty

5 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CONCUSSIONS

by Dimitrios Kakaris August 14, 2020

5 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CONCUSSIONS

  1. Misconception: Concussions happen from hits to the head.

    No, they actually occur from quick acceleration and deceleration of the brain inside the skull. This is why they can be so hard to diagnose. 95% of concussion patients will show no physical sign of injury. No direct impact to the head is necessary to cause a concussion. Concussion checks usually occur after hits to the head, but even if a player takes a hit to the body, they could still very easily have a concussion, but chances are they will not be checked for one.

  1. Misconception: If you have a concussion you are supposed to rest.

    Recent studies have shown that prolonged absolute rest, of up to five days, is actually damaging to concussion recovery. The new recommended rest period is 24-48 hours, with some exposure to light. Moderate excercise, even in those early stages, has shown to be beneficial to recovery and helps prevent chronic symptoms. The previously recommended five days of darkness and no activity should no longer be followed.

  1. Misconception: You are okay to return to play once your symptoms are gone.

    Concussions are a non-visible injury, so it is hard to tell when the brain is healed. Symptoms typically disappear within 7-10 days, but the brain can take about 4-6 times longer to fully recover. Just because the patient no longer feels symptoms does not mean they can return to play. Sustaining another concussion before full recovery can lead to serious damage and even death. All precautions, including baseline testing, should be taken to ensure full recovery is made before return to play and these decisions should be made with the advice of a licensed medical professional.

  1. Misconception: There is no treatment for a concussion.

    No, there is no cure yet, but there actually are a few proven ways to lessen concussion symptoms and speed up recovery.

    1. Excercise Therapy- Limited, symptom based exercise can increase blood flow to the brain, which helps regain cognition.
    2. Manual Therapy and Neck Rehab- A Canadian study found that that concussions and whiplash occur together 100% of the time. The symptoms are so similar that it can be hard to tell where they are stemming from. Therapy can help relieve some of the pain from the neck and also help strengthen the neck muscles for the next hit.
    3. Vestibular and Visual Rehab- Dizziness and trouble foucsing are extremely common symptoms of concussions. Through examination and treatment, these symtpoms can be resolved.
  1. Misconception: Concussions cause long-term brain damage.

    It is actually very unlikely to sustain long-term brain damage from a concussion; however, through lack of treatment, poor recovery or succssive head injuries, one can sustain long-term or even permanent damage, and in some cases death. Proper treatment and return to play protocols must be utilized to ensure optimal rehabilitation following a concussion or head injury.

These misconceptions illustrate why a head impact indicator from Tozuda can be so valuable. Our device tells you if each hit has created enough impact to your brain to potentially cause a concussion. Immediate and accurate impact indication can help one get the medical attention they need as soon as possible, creating the best chance of full recovery. Proper and timely treatment can be the difference between an active and healthy life or permanent cognitive and emotional damage.

Learn more about concsussions and treatment [here ]


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in The Big Brain Blog

National Work Zone Awareness Week: Head Protection
National Work Zone Awareness Week: Head Protection

by Mariela Salazar April 21, 2023

Read More
What Are the Effects of a Bump on the Head? Here's What You Need to Know
What Are the Effects of a Bump on the Head? Here's What You Need to Know

by Mariela Salazar March 24, 2023

Read More
When are head injuries serious?
When are head injuries serious?

by Mariela Salazar March 15, 2023

Read More