Brain injury basics: Learn to recognize the signs of a concussion

We hear about concussions so often in sports entertainment and in our daily lives that it’s easy to think they’re no big deal. Quite the opposite, concussions are considered a type of traumatic brain injury  and are really quite violent.

What is a concussion?

Concussions are caused by a blow to the head or body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth. Your brain is made of a mushy substance that is easily damaged by this type of movement against your strong (and quite pointy) inner skull. This bouncing can cause stretching on the brain cells and can have various side-effects. Concussions are serious. Even though they are not usually life threatening, they can do damage!

What are the signs?

Some of the common signs of a concussion are:

  • confusion
  • clumsiness
  • forgetfulness
  • slow response time

Some of the medical effects can be:

  • headache
  • vomiting or upset stomach
  • vision problems

Head to the emergency room if someone has:

  • trouble speaking
  • pupils that are different sizes
  • passed out
  • seizures

What should I do?

Get the person to stop participating in whatever activity they are doing, and don’t let them return until they have been given the okay by a medical professional. Even if they aren’t experiencing emergency room symptoms, head to the hospital or your local medical centre to get them reviewed.

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident, call Auger Hollingsworth at 613-233-4529 to book a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers. 

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