Concussion

Your brain is a soft organ that is surrounded by spinal fluid and protected by your hard skull. Normally, the fluid around your brain acts like a cushion that keeps your brain from banging into your skull. But if your head or your body is hit hard, your brain can crash into your skull and be injured.

There are many ways to get a concussion. Some common ways include fights, falls, playground injuries, car crashes, and bike accidents. Concussions can also happen while participating in any sport or activity such as football, boxing, hockey, soccer, skiing, or snowboarding.

To reduce your chances of getting a concussion:

• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a car or other motor vehicle.
• Never drive when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Make your home safer to prevent falls.

Wear a helmet for any activity that can cause a fall or impact to the head or neck. Examples include bike riding, football, baseball, ATV riding, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, inline skating, and horseback riding. Helmets help protect your skull from injury. But brain damage can occur even when a helmet is worn.

To reduce your child's chances of getting a concussion:

• Use child car seats and booster seats correctly.
• Teach your child bicycle safety.
• Teach your child how to be safe around streets and cars.
• Keep your child safe from falls.
• Teach your child playground safety.
• Help your child prevent injury from sports and other activities.

Any person who may have a concussion needs to see a doctor. If a doctor thinks you have a concussion, they'll ask questions about the injury. Your doctor may ask you questions that test your ability to pay attention and your learning and memory. They may check how quickly you can solve problems. They may also show you objects and then hide them and ask you to recall what they are. The doctor will check your strength, balance, coordination, reflexes, and sensation.

Neuropsychological testing has become more common after a concussion. It's one of many ways your doctor can test how well you are thinking and remembering after a concussion.

Sometimes a doctor will order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to make sure that your brain isn't bruised or bleeding.

Right away

After being seen by a doctor, some people have to stay in the hospital to be watched. Others can go home safely. If you go home, follow your doctor's instructions. The doctor will tell you if you need someone to watch you closely for the next 24 hours or longer.

In the days or weeks after

Some people feel normal again in a few hours. Others have symptoms for weeks or months. It is very important to allow yourself time to get better and to slowly return to your regular activities. If your symptoms come back when you are doing an activity, stop and rest for a day. This is a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard. It is also important to call your doctor if you are not improving as expected or if you think that you are getting worse instead of better.

Rest is the best way to recover from a concussion. You need to rest your body and your brain. Here are some tips to help you get better:

• Get plenty of sleep at night, and take it easy during the day.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Avoid activities that are physically or mentally demanding (including housework, exercise, schoolwork, video games, text messaging, or using the computer). You may need to change your school or work schedule while you recover.
• Ask your doctor when it's okay for you to drive a car, ride a bike, or operate machinery.
• Use ice or a cold pack on any swelling for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Concussion and sports

A person who might have a concussion needs to immediately stop any kind of activity or sport. Being active again too soon increases the person's risk of having a more serious brain injury. Be sure to see a doctor before returning to play.

Pain control

• Put ice or a cold pack on the part of your head that hurts for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Recovery

• Follow your doctor's instructions. The doctor will tell you if you need someone to watch you closely for the next 24 hours or longer.
• Rest is the best way to recover from a concussion. You need to rest your body and your brain:
  • Get plenty of sleep at night. And take rest breaks during the day.
  • Avoid activities that take a lot of physical or mental work. This includes housework, exercise, schoolwork, video games, text messaging, and using the computer.
  • You may need to change your school or work schedule while you recover.
  • Return to your normal activities slowly. Do not try to do too much at once.
• Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. They can slow your recovery. And they can increase your risk of a second brain injury.
• Avoid activities that could lead to another concussion. Follow your doctor's instructions for a gradual return to activity and sports.
• Ask your doctor when it's okay for you to drive a car, ride a bike, or operate machinery.