Learn more about a concussion

You can play sports and get a bump against your head, or you can be in a car accident or fall from your bike or skateboard.  

No matter how you got your injury, if you get a bump against your head, it is always a good idea to have it checked out, because it can be a concussion.    

 A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.  Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking the head and upper body also can cause concussions.  

                                            

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A lot of people get concussions while doing sports, but wearing the right gear will protect you and your chances from getting one will be less.

But what happens if you have a concussion?

Your brain is very soft and it is protected by the fluid around it and the skull.  If you hit your head hard enough, the brain can 'slam' against the skull on the inside and get bruised.  There is a lot of blood vessels and nerves that can also be damaged when the skull hits the hard skull.

We cannot always prevent a hit against the head while playing certain 'contact sports', but there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe:

• make sure you have the correct gear and if your sport has a lot of contact and there is a big chance that you can get a hit against the head, wear the correct head gear or helmet
• even if you wear a helmet, your head will be protected on the outside, but not on the inside, so try and stay safe while playing or riding and do not take unnecessary risks
• practice to have the right skills and techniques where you can try and protect yourself

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I banged my head.  What now?

It is never nice to leave a game in the middle of it, but if you sustain any injury to your head, even if you feel okay, rather leave the field to be checked out first, before you continue playing.

If you continue playing, you can get hurt worse and your life is more important that a game, so do not take the risk.

 Don't take a chance on hurting your head again. A second head injury can lead to a condition called second-impact syndrome. Second-impact syndrome doesn't happen very often, but it can cause lasting brain damage and even death. 

If you go off the field or after the game and you know you bumped your head and you show any of the following symptoms, you need to get to the doctor as soon as possible.

• you feel very sleepy, or you have trouble sleeping or you sleep more than usual
• you have a headache that does not get better even after you drank pain pills
• you have a feeling of fear or anxiousness and you feel irritated without reason
• you throw up
• you feel faint or disorientated and you cannot focus on something for a period of time
• your thoughts seem 'mixed up' and your speech is slurred or you struggle speaking

Once you have visited your doctor and has rested for a few days, you will most probably be fine again, depending on how serious the concussion was, but very important, do not return to the sport field (or your normal day to day life) if your doctor does not say it is okay.  Even if you feel better, you brain can still need some time to recover fully.

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