A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that is caused by a blow to the head, a fall, or another injury that physically shakes or quickly rotates the brain inside the skull.
Even “minor” concussions can cause long-term health problems, especially when a person has a history of multiple concussions.
Concussion symptoms can include severe headache, balance problems, sensitivity to light and noise, along with sleep problems.
Use the free concussion test below to gauge the severity of symptoms related to a concussion. After this test has been completed, a two page PDF report will be automatically generated and emailed to the recipient.
Avoiding Concussions
In the United States, the leading causes of concussions and brain injuries are:
– Falls (35.2%)
– Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (17.3%)
– Struck by/against events (16.5%)
– Assaults (10%)
Most sports concussions are included in above “Falls” and “Struck by/against” events.
Reduce your chances of concussion and traumatic brain injury:
– wear a helmet in cycling, motorbike, and ATV activities,
– always wear a seatbelt when riding in a moving vehicle
– put a non-skid mat or surface in bathrooms and showers/bathtubs
About Post-Concussion Syndrome
Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is the persistence of concussion symptoms last beyond the normal course of recovery. The majority of concussion symptoms will resolve within about two weeks, and with proper recovery almost all dissipate within a month. Patients with PCS can experience concussion-like symptoms at rest or in response to too much physical or cognitive activity, often forcing them to withdraw from their usual physical, professional, and social lives.
Females, older adults, and people with a history of multiple concussions have a statistically greater chance of developing PCS.