(mild traumatic brain injury) and other head injuries
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussions can be caused by any hit or jolt to the head. The hit to the head causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This movement causes the brain to ‘bounce’ around or ‘twist’ within the skull leading to bleeding and bruising of the brain. Concussions can result in chemical changes or damage to brain cells. Most concussions are ‘mild’ and considered not life threatening.
All concussions- mild to severe- should be treated with great caution and evaluated by a specialist. ‘Second impact syndrome’ is caused when a second concussion occurs before symptoms of an earlier concussion have subsided result in rapid brain swelling and can cause death.
Symptoms of a concussion can include headache, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, ringing in ears, change in vision, dizziness, sleepiness, irritability, and/or loss of consciousness. Symptoms are often very mild and unnoticed by the person who experienced the head injury. (See patient resources for full list of concussion signs, symptoms, and management).