How can a concussion be identified? When is medical attention necessary for a concussion?
There’s a good probability you won’t understand the solutions. Less than half of Canadians are aware of the symptoms or know what to do if someone has a concussion, according to figures from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
To alter that, doctors like Dr. Tina Atkinson are working. Dr. Atkinson is the chief medical officer of the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic and a founding member of Concussion Nova Scotia. She also serves as team doctor for the national women’s hockey team and the Halifax Mooseheads.
Dr. Atkinson also added that they want people to know the basic signs of concussion. They also want to share what to do before someone sees a physician or nurse practitioner.
A hit to the head or body that causes your brain to move inside your skull results in a concussion, a type of brain injury. It may have an impact on your behavior, thoughts, feelings, and general brain function.
Each year, around 11,300 Nova Scotians suffer concussions. Not simply in contact sports, concussions can occur abruptly. There is no shortage of those who are at risk in the winter, including children riding down a toboggan hill, persons using slippery sidewalks, and those engaged in car accidents. Keep in mind that a concussion can occur without losing consciousness or taking a blow to the head.
- According to Doctors Nova Scotia, concussions can present through a variety of signs and symptoms:
- Physical: headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, ears ringing, problems balancing, sensitivity to light or sound, or feeling tired, drowsy or “just not right”
- Cognitive: memory problems, difficulty concentrating, not being able to think clearly or feeling slowed down
- Emotional: feeling sad, nervous, anxious or more easily angered
- Sleep-related: having a hard time falling asleep or sleeping a lot more or less than usual
Watch your symptoms closely in the first few minutes or hours if you think you may have had a concussion. Dr. Atkinson advises seeking immediate medical assistance if you pass out, experience worsening symptoms (such as increased confusion), experience sudden weakness or tingling in your arms, legs, or neck, or experience sudden or severe vomiting that won’t stop. Take a kid to the emergency room if they exhibit any of these symptoms, or if they have vomited more than twice, experienced seizures, had trouble walking, or appear more confused.
Some concussions can be treated at home with a period of rest (24 to 48 hours) for the body and brain, including time away from work, school, sports, driving, reading, using screens, or consuming alcohol, then a gradually increased level of activity. After 48 hours, if your symptoms have not subsided, consult a doctor.
More information about this at https://www.yourdoctors.ca/blog/healthy-living/concussions
Reference:
https://www.yourdoctors.ca
