Concussion

Concussion is an injury caused to the brain due to trauma. When your head or body suddenly jolts or jerks, the brain may either displace slightly or spin inside the skull, resulting in a concussion. This can be injurious to brain cells and the associated blood vessels.

A concussion often causes mild effects such as loss of consciousness, confusion and lack of neural coordination, which last for a few days or weeks, and in some cases they are not even recognisable. In more severe traumatic injuries, the effects of concussion may also last for a few years.

Although concussion may occur at any stage of life, children and adolescents are more prone to it than adults because their minds and body are developing during these stages of life.

Some children may experience post-concussion syndrome in which major symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and confusion may last longer than usual, weeks, months, or even years. The exact cause of post-concussion syndrome has not been found yet. Howeve,r theories suggest that this syndrome occurs due to damage to the neuro-transmitter system or some physiological disorder caused by concussion.

Risk factors for concussion include:

• Road accidents

• Sports activities such as football, basketball, soccer

• Athletic activities in school/college

• Bicycle riding

• A dangerous fall

• A previously occurred concussion

When to seek expert advice

Seek immediate medical attention from our Department of Emergency Medicine or Section of Neurology experts if you or someone else experiences:​

• Loss of consciousness, even briefly

• Persistent or worsening headaches

• Repeated vomiting

• Seizures

• Significant confusion or disorientation

• Slurred speech

• Weakness or numbness in limbs

• Unusual behaviour or mood changes

​Even if symptoms seem mild, consulting a healthcare professional is important to assess the injury and prevent complications. ​