CONCUSSIONSKristen Bozza

Shea Stearney

DESCRIPTION A concussion is a traumatic injury to the

brain caused by a blow to the head or body, fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.

PARTS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEMOccipital lobes are affected when there is an impact in the front of the head because the brain bounces off of the skull in the back. The person will loose their eye sight temporarily or permanently. The frontal lobes are affected when there is an impact to the back of the head because the brain bounces off of the back of the skull. There is a loss of lingual functions and the person will be confused and have amnesia.

CAUSE Concussions are caused by injuries that

shakes or jars the brain. There are many ways to get a concussion. Some injuries include:

fights falls playground injuries car crashes bike accidents sports (especially football, hockey,

boxing, soccer, skiing,and snowboarding)

SYMPTOMS There are Four categories of concussions:

Thinking and remembering

Not thinking clearly, Not being able to concentrate, Not being able to remember new information

Feeling slowed down

Physical

Headache

Fuzzy or blurry vision

Nausea and vomiting

Dizziness

Sensitivity to light or noise

Balance problems

Feeling tired or having no energy

Emotional and mood

Easily upset, angered, or sad

Nervous or anxious

More emotional

Sleep

Sleeping more or less than usual

Having a hard time falling asleep

TREATMENTS If someone may have a concussion, they

need to go to the doctor. Some patients can return home, but they need to be monitored for warning signs. Others have to stay at the hospital to be watched.

Bed rest, ice(to relieve pain and reduce swelling), and a mild pain reliever may be prescribed

MEDICINE There is not really any medicine for

concussions, but a mild pain reliever can be prescribed.

EXPECTED OUTCOME Short-term effects: Headache lasting between 1 or 2 weeks- months

after the concussion dizziness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping,

or problems doing certain types of activities such as reading

Nausea and vomiting Long-term effects: Concussions are known to be cumulative (it’s easier

to get a concussion once you have already gotten one)

long-term memory loss, psychiatric disorders, brain damage, and other neurologic problems