A concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is caused by trauma to the head or a blow to the body that immediately disrupts normal brain functioning, such as memory and processing speed. They most commonly result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, assaults and sports injuries and may cause a variety of different symptoms.
Because concussions affect the brain’s function but not its structure, neuro-imaging devices, such as computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), will likely appear normal.
Do concussed individuals lose consciousness?
People can have a concussion without loss of consciousness. In fact, only about ten percent of people who suffer concussions lose consciousness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How prevalent are concussions?
Concussions are the most common brain injury in sports. Each year in the United States, about 300,000 sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries are reported. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control believe that thousands more go unreported.
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Recovery time varies from person-to-person, ranging from several minutes to days, weeks, months or even longer. Research suggests that children and adolescents need more time to recover from concussions than college students or professional athletes. If properly diagnosed and treated, individuals who suffer concussions will make a complete recovery. The best way to manage a concussion is to rest, limiting mental and physical exertion.
What are common symptoms of concussions?
Concussion symptoms usually appear immediately, but can also develop several days after the injury and may be physical, cognitive, emotional or sleep-related in nature:
- Physical
- – headache, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, visual problems, fatigue, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, numbness and tingling
- Cognitive
- – feeling mentally “foggy,” feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, forgetful of recent events or conversations, confused about recent events, repeats questions
- Emotional
- – irritability, sadness, more emotional, nervousness
- Sleep-related
- – drowsiness, sleeping more than usual, sleeping less than usual, trouble falling asleep
It’s important to remember that even mild concussions can have significant negative results, and the effects of multiple mild traumatic brain injuries can be cumulative. Furthermore, ongoing headaches and other concussive symptoms may indicate an incomplete recovery.
Additional concussion educational resources:
Locations
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Morristown Medical Center
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Luciano Family Trauma and Acute Care Center
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741 Northfield Avenue – West Orange
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Center for Concussion Care
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741 Northfield Avenue
Suite 210
West Orange, NJ 07052
- 908-598-6615
- Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Fax: 908-598-5412
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741 Northfield Avenue
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Medical Arts Center (MAC) II – Overlook Medical Center
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Center for Concussion Care
During an emergency, concussions can be diagnosed and treated at Chilton, Hackettstown, Morristown, Overlook and Newton medical centers’ emergency departments.
Additional Neuroscience Services
Video: Concussions
We discuss baseline testing for sports-related concussions.
