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concussion
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Concussion
t s igL ni l ia M ya e D h t fd ore o W h tn i oJ
Definition
Concussion is a trauma-induced change in mental status, with confusion and amnesia, and with or without a brief loss of consciousness.
Description
A concussion occurs when the head hits or is hit by an object, or when the brain is jarred against the skull, with sufficient force to cause temporary loss of function in the higher centers of the brain. The injured person may remain conscious or lose consciousness briefly, and is disoriented for some minutes after the blow. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 300,000 people sustain mild to moderate sports-related brain injuries each year, most of them young men between 16 and 25. While concussion usually resolves on its own without lasting effect, it can set the stage for a much more serious condition. "Second impact syndrome" occurs when a person with a concussion, even a very mild one, suffers a second blow before fully recovering from the first. The brain swelling and increased intracranial pressure that can result is potentially fatal. More than 20 such cases have been reported since the syndrome was first described in 1984.
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http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/concussion[25.02.2013 11:28:21]
concussion - definition of concussion in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
sleep disturbances light and noise intolerance The occurrence of such symptoms is called "post-concussion syndrome."
Diagnosis
It is very important for those attending a person with concussion to pay close attention to the person's symptoms and progression immediately after the accident. The duration of unconsciousness and degree of confusion are very important indicators of the severity of the injury and help guide the diagnostic process and treatment decisions. A doctor, nurse, or emergency medical technician may make an immediate assessment based on the severity of the symptoms; a neurologic exam of the pupils, coordination, and sensation; and brief tests of orientation, memory, and concentration. Those with very mild concussions may not need to be hospitalized or have expensive diagnostic tests. Questionable or more severe cases may require computed tomography scan (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to look for brain injury.
Treatment
The symptoms of concussion usually clear quickly and without lasting effect, if no further injury is sustained during the healing process. Guidelines for returning to sports activities are based on the severity of the concussion. A grade 1 concussion can usually be treated with rest and continued observation alone. The person may return to sports activities that same day, but only after examination by a trained professional, and after all symptoms have completely resolved. If the person sustains a second concussion of any severity that same day, he or she should not be allowed to continue contact sports until he or she has been symptom-free, during both rest and activity, for one week. A person with a grade 2 concussion must discontinue sports activity for the day, should be evaluated by a trained professional, and should be observed closely throughout the day to make sure that all symptoms have completely cleared. Worsening of symptoms, or continuation of any symptoms beyond one week, indicates the need for a CT or MRI scan. Return to contact sports should only occur after one week with no symptoms, both at rest and during activity, and following examination by a physician. Following a second grade 2 concussion, the person should remain symptom-free for two weeks before resuming contact sports. A person with a grade 3 concussion (involving any loss of consciousness, no matter how brief) should be examined by a medical professional either on the scene or in an emergency room. More severe symptoms may warrant a CT or MRI scan, along with a thorough neurological and physical exam. The person should be hospitalized if any abnormalities are found or if confusion persists. Prolonged unconsciousness and worsening symptoms require urgent neurosurgical evaluation or transfer to a trauma center. Following discharge from professional care, the patient is closely monitored for neurological symptoms which may arise or worsen. If headaches or other symptoms worsen or last longer than one week, a CT or MRI scan should be performed. Contact sports are avoided for one week following unconsciousness of only seconds, and for two weeks for unconsciousness of a minute or more. A person receiving a second grade 3 concussion should avoid contact sports for at least a month after all symptoms have cleared, and then only with the approval of a physician. If signs of brain swelling or bleeding are seen on a CT or MRI scan, the athlete should not return to the sport for the rest of the season, or even indefinitely. For someone who has sustained a concussion of any severity, it is critically important that he or she avoid the possibility of another blow to the head until well after all symptoms have cleared to prevent second-impact syndrome. The guidelines above are designed to minimize the risk of this syndrome.
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Prognosis
Concussion usually leaves no lasting neurological problems. Nonetheless, symptoms of post-concussion syndrome may last for weeks or even months. Studies of concussion in contact sports have shown that the risk of sustaining a second concussion is even greater than it was for the first if the person continues to engage in the sport.
Prevention
Many cases of concussion can be prevented by using appropriate protective equipment. This includes seat belts and air bags in automobiles, and helmets in all contact sports. Helmets should also be worn when bicycling, skiing, or horseback riding. Soccer players should avoid heading the ball when it is kicked at high velocity from close range. Playground equipment should be underlaid with soft material, either sand or special matting. The value of high-contact sports such as boxing, football, or hockey should be weighed against the high risk of brain injury during a young person's participation in the sport. Steering a child's general enthusiasm for sports into activities less apt to produce head impacts may reduce the likelihood of brain injury.
Resources
Books Evans, R. Neurology and Trauma. W. B. Saunders Co., 1996. Organizations American Academy of Neurology. 1080 Montreal Ave., St. Paul, MN 55116. (612) 695-1940. http://www.aan.com.
Key terms
Amnesia A loss of memory that may be caused by brain injury, such as concussion. Parkinsonism A neurological disorder that includes a fine tremor, muscular weakness and rigidity, and an altered way of walking.
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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concussion /concussion/ ( kon-kushun ) a violent shock or jar, or the condition resulting from such an injury.
concussion of the brain loss of consciousness, transient or prolonged, due to a blow to the head; there may be transient amnesia, vertigo, nausea, weak pulse, and slow respiration. concussion of the labyrinth deafness with tinnitus due to a blow on or explosion near the ear. pulmonary concussion mechanical damage to the lungs caused by an explosion. concussion of the spinal cord transient spinal cord dysfunction caused by mechanical injury.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/concussion[25.02.2013 11:28:21]
concussion - definition of concussion in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. 2007 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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concussion (k n-k sh n)
n. 1. A violent shaking or jarring. 2. An injury to a soft structure, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow and followed by a temporary or prolonged loss of function.
The American Heritage Medical Dictionary Copyright 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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concussion
[konkushn] Etymology: L, concutere, to shake violently 1 damage to the brain caused by a violent jarring or shaking, such as a blow or an explosion. 2 Usage notes: informal. See brain concussion.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. 2009, Elsevier.
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concussion [kon-kushun ] a violent jar or shock, or the condition that results from such an injury.
concussion of the brain alteration of CONSCIOUSNESS , transient or prolonged, due to a blow to the head; it may be followed by transient amnesia, vertigo, nausea, and weak pulse. Breathing often is unusually rapid or slow. Outward evidence of the injury may include bleeding and contusions (bruises). When consciousness is regained, the victim is likely to have severe headache and, possibly, blurred vision. If severely injured, the victim may lapse into a COMA. Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (see also HEAD INJURY ). In addition to the primary injury, concussion can precipitate an increase in INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE or other neurological sequelae such as bleeding that can emerge several hours or days after the trauma. It is critical for health care providers to monitor these secondary tissue damages. Education of the patient and family is important regarding signs and symptoms of an increase in intracranial pressure and when to seek emergency care. Most people, however, recover from a concussion with no permanent neurological deficits. Rest is the usual treatment. ACETAMINOPHEN is usually prescribed for the associated headache.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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concussion
a violent jar or shock, or the condition that results from such an injury. brain concussion loss of consciousness, transient or prolonged, due to a blow to the head; breathing often is unusually rapid or slow. Outward evidence of the injury may include bleeding, sometimes from the nose, and contusions (bruises). There may be residual signs such as local paralysis on recovery. spinal cord concussion may lead to temporary paresis or spinal shock, with possible local paralysis continuing after partial recovery. concussion stunner a sharp blow to the head sufficient to cause stunning may be used as a prelude to euthanasia or, in laboratory animals, as a means of euthanasia on its own.
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3 ed. 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved
Warmley Court
Specialist residential care and rehabilitation for brain injuries
www.tracscare.co.uk/warmleycourt
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http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/concussion[25.02.2013 11:28:21]
concussion - definition of concussion in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
concussion
Neurology A severe brain injury, due to a violent blow or shaking, which is characterized by immediate and transient impairment of brain function and one or more of the following: loss of consciousness, amnesia, seizure, or a change in mental status, which may be accompanied by defects in cognition, vision, equilibrium. See Transient ischemic attack. Cf Contusion Sports medicine A traumatically induced alteration in mental status; impairment of brain function caused by injury to the head; speed and degree of recovery depend on severity of the brain injury. See Labryinthine concussion. Concussionper Colorado medical society Grade I Mild concussion 'Having the bell rung', 'head ding' Confusion without amnesia or loss of consciousness; difficult to detect Management Remove from game, examine immediately for amnesia, postconcussive symptoms; return to game in no less than 20 minutes; three grade I concussions should end player's season; no contact sports for 3 months Grade II Moderate concussion Confusion with amnesia, no loss of consciousness; post-traumatic and retrograde amnesia may occur in severe cases; athlete should be evaluated for 24 hours Management Remove permanently from game; examine repeatedly for intracranial problems; return to practice 1 week; return to playing 1 month or end athlete's season; season ends if 3 grade II concussions or abnormality by CT or MRI Grade III Severe concussion Loss of consciousness Management Transport to hospital with cervical spine immobilization; full neurologic examination; return to practice 2 weeks; return to play 1 month or end athlete's season; season ended if 2 grade II concussions or any abnormality by CT or MRI
McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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