Concussion occurs following trauma to the brain that usually results from an impact to the head. This creates a rapid onset of brain function impairment within 48 hours .
Your appropriately trained Physiotherapist or Sports Doctor can diagnose you without imaging or further testing. Once diagnosed and managed properly, symptoms normally resolve on their own. However complications can occur, so it is important to know when to return for medical management for further investigation.
If you or your child experiences the symptoms below, take them seriously and go to an emergency department:
- Neck pain, tenderness or deformity
- Double vision
- Weakness, tingling, numbing, burning or other altered sensations into the arms or legs
- Severe or increasing headache
- Seizure or convulsion
- Loss of consciousness
- Deteriorating cognitive state, slurred speech
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing restlessness, agitation or combative behaviour
- Unusual behaviour
- Excessive drowsiness or inability to be awakened
- Worsening headaches
- Inability to recognise people or places
The link goes to the Australian Sporting Commissions concussion in sports website. This has the latest evidenced based guidelines for concussion management in easy to access tutorials designed for coaches, parents, medical practitioners and medical professionals. I strongly recommended it for anyone keen to learn more!
https://concussioninsport.gov.au/