A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking of the head and upper body also can cause concussions. Some concussions cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not.
Falls are the most common cause of concussion. Concussions are also common if you play a contact sport, such as football or soccer. Most people usually recover fully after a concussion.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not show up immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer.
Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory (amnesia) and confusion. The amnesia usually involves forgetting the event that caused the concussion.
Physical signs and symptoms of a concussion may include:
Headache
Ringing in the ears
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue or drowsiness
Blurry vision
Other signs and symptoms of a concussion include:
Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
Dizziness or "seeing stars"
A witness may observe these signs and symptoms in the concussed person:
Temporary loss of consciousness (though this doesn't always occur)
Slurred speech
Delayed response to questions
Dazed appearance
Forgetfulness, such as repeatedly asking the same question
You may have some symptoms of concussions immediately, and some can occur for days after the injury, such as:
Concentration and memory complaints
Irritability and other personality changes
Sensitivity to light and noise
Sleep disturbances
Psychological adjustment problems and depression
Disorders of taste and smell
### Symptoms in children
Head trauma is very common in young children. But concussions can be difficult to recognize in infants and toddlers because they can't describe how they feel. Concussion clues may include:
Dazed appearance
Listlessness and tiring easily
Irritability and crankiness
Loss of balance and unsteady walking
Excessive crying
Change in eating or sleeping patterns
Lack of interest in favorite toys
Vomiting
Seizures
Sequelae (After-Effects)
Sequelae include multiple types of headaches, cranial nerve symptoms and signs, psychologic complaints, as well as cognitive impairment.
Treatment
1. Special Chinese herb formulas
2. Acupuncture
Treated with traditional Chinese Medicine people who suffered a concussion can be recovered within one month without after-effects (sequelae)
### When to a doctor:
You or your child experiences a head injury, even if emergency care isn't required
If your child doesn't have signs of a serious head injury, remains alert, moves normally and responds to you, the injury is probably mild and usually doesn't need further testing.
In this case, if your child wants to nap, it's OK to let him or her sleep. If worrisome signs develop later, seek emergency care.
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as:
Repeated vomiting or nausea
A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
A headache that gets worse over time
Fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears
Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
Ringing in the ears that doesn't go away
Weakness in the arms or legs
Appearing very pale for longer than an hour
Changes in behavior
Confusion or disorientation, such as difficulty recognizing people or places
Slurred speech or other changes in speech
Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination
Changes in physical coordination, such as stumbling or clumsiness
Seizures or convulsions
Lasting or recurrent dizziness
Symptoms that worsen over time
Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age
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