Concussion
A concussion is a brain injury. It may involve loss of consciousness. However, a concussion most often occurs without a loss of consciousness.
Concussions happen when bumps, blows or jolts to the head or body cause the brain to move around inside the skull. May also result from a whiplash effect to the head and neck. The brain injury that results can be mild or more severe and can disrupt how the brain normally works.
Concussions can be hard to recognize because there may not be obvious signs of trauma. Signs and symptoms may have delayed onset and may be worse later that day or even the next morning.
Caution: You should not attempt to treat a concussion without a physician's involvement, call 9-1-1.
Initial Response: If there is a loss of consciousness, initiate Emergency Action Plan and call an ambulance. Assume possible neck injury. Remove the victim from the current situation. Do not leave the victim alone: monitor signs and symptoms. Do not administer medications, inform your leader (coach, teacher, parent etc.) about the injury. The victim should be evaluated by a medical doctor and they should not return to the activity until all steps below are clear.
Concussions happen when bumps, blows or jolts to the head or body cause the brain to move around inside the skull. May also result from a whiplash effect to the head and neck. The brain injury that results can be mild or more severe and can disrupt how the brain normally works.
Concussions can be hard to recognize because there may not be obvious signs of trauma. Signs and symptoms may have delayed onset and may be worse later that day or even the next morning.
Caution: You should not attempt to treat a concussion without a physician's involvement, call 9-1-1.
Initial Response: If there is a loss of consciousness, initiate Emergency Action Plan and call an ambulance. Assume possible neck injury. Remove the victim from the current situation. Do not leave the victim alone: monitor signs and symptoms. Do not administer medications, inform your leader (coach, teacher, parent etc.) about the injury. The victim should be evaluated by a medical doctor and they should not return to the activity until all steps below are clear.
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
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Steps for Returning to Play and Normal Activity
The only treatment for a concussion is complete rest until all signs and symptoms resolve. Complete rest includes rest for the body (no playing sports or doing chores) and for the brain (no TV, video games or extensive reading). Each step should be last a minimum of one day.
Signs and symptoms may return later that day or the next and not necessarily when exercising. If signs and symptoms return you should return to the previous step and be re-evaluated by a health care professional.
Step 1: No Activity - complete physical and cognitive rest. Proceed to next step only when symptoms are gone
Step 2: Light Activity - walking, swimming, cycling. light chores, reading, partial return to work/school
Step 3: Some Skilled Activity - Simple non-contact drills in sport, more time spent at school or work
Step 4: More Skilled Activity - progress to more complex drills in sport, may start progressive resistance training, not-contact play with other people
Step 5: Normal Routine and School/Work Routine - Following medical clearance you may participate in normal sport practices, games, chores, and your normal work and school routines
Note: The victim should proceed through the above steps only when they do not experience symptoms or signs and a physician has given the clearance. If symptoms or signs return the victim should return to the previous step and be re-evaluated by a physician.
Signs and symptoms may return later that day or the next and not necessarily when exercising. If signs and symptoms return you should return to the previous step and be re-evaluated by a health care professional.
Step 1: No Activity - complete physical and cognitive rest. Proceed to next step only when symptoms are gone
Step 2: Light Activity - walking, swimming, cycling. light chores, reading, partial return to work/school
Step 3: Some Skilled Activity - Simple non-contact drills in sport, more time spent at school or work
Step 4: More Skilled Activity - progress to more complex drills in sport, may start progressive resistance training, not-contact play with other people
Step 5: Normal Routine and School/Work Routine - Following medical clearance you may participate in normal sport practices, games, chores, and your normal work and school routines
Note: The victim should proceed through the above steps only when they do not experience symptoms or signs and a physician has given the clearance. If symptoms or signs return the victim should return to the previous step and be re-evaluated by a physician.
Click on image for the full SCAT 2. This has been designed for Sport but it is useful for all concussions.
[Acquired Brain Injury] [Definitions] [Concussion] [Coma Scales] [Stats] [Costs]
Resources for Acquired Brain Injury pages are from the following websites:
Ontario Brain Injury Association www.obia.ca
Canadian Brain Injury Association:www.biac-aclc.ca
Brain Trust Canada: www.braintrustcanada.com
Brain Injury Association of Nipissing:http://dawn.thot.net/brain/
Ontario Brain Injury Association www.obia.ca
Canadian Brain Injury Association:www.biac-aclc.ca
Brain Trust Canada: www.braintrustcanada.com
Brain Injury Association of Nipissing:http://dawn.thot.net/brain/