Concussions Research Paper

Words: 1108
Pages: 5

To begin, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects brain function. Effects are often short-term and can include headaches and trouble with concentration, memory, balance, mood, and sleep. Concussions are usually caused by an impact on the head or body that is associated with a change in brain function. Some concussions cause the person to lose consciousness, and some do not. Falls are the most common cause of concussions. Concussions are also common among athletes who play contact sports, such as football and soccer. Most people recover fully after a concussion, but some people may have complications for longer. Next, the symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not occur right away. Symptoms can last for days, weeks, …show more content…
Other symptoms of a concussion include confusion or feeling as if in a fog, amnesia surrounding the event, dizziness, or "seeing stars." Some symptoms of a concussion occur right away. But sometimes symptoms may not occur for days after the injury, such as trouble with concentration and memory, irritability and other personality changes, sensitivity to light and noise, trouble with sleep, feeling emotional or depressed, and changes in taste and smell. Concussions can be hard to recognize in infants and toddlers because they can’t describe how they feel. These symptoms include a dazed appearance, listlessness and tiredness, irritability and crankiness, loss of balance and unsteady walking, excessive crying, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, a lack of interest in favorite toys, and vomiting. Also, to diagnose a concussion, your healthcare professional evaluates your symptoms and reviews your medical history. You may need tests to help diagnose a concussion. Tests may include neurological exam, cognitive testing, and imaging tests. For example, your healthcare professional asks detailed questions about your injury and then performs a neurological