What is a concussion? 

Also called a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), “A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.” 

Watch this video for a quick video from the CDC on “what is a concussion?”

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html

What are the symptoms of a concussion? 

“The symptoms of a brain injury can be subtle or may not be noticed until you return to normal activities. Symptoms can last up to 4 weeks, can fluctuate in intensity, but overall should improve with time.” They include:

• Headaches
• Sleep
• Trouble falling asleep
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feelings of fatigue or exhaustion
• Memory
• Trouble remembering new information
• Trouble concentrating or thinking
• Feelings of confusion
• Mood
• Irritability
• Feelings of sadness
• Feelings of nervousness or anxiety
• Other physical symptoms
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise

https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-concussion.htm 

What are the stages or “grades” of a concussion? 

Concussions are graded by severity based on the conditions listed below: 

• Grade I: no loss of consciousness; amnesia is absent or present for less than 30 minutes.
• Grade II: loss of consciousness for less than five minutes or amnesia for between 30 minutes and 24 hours.
• Grade III: loss of consciousness for more than five minutes or amnesia for more than 24 hours.

“Go to an emergency room if you or someone with you has suffered a head injury and has lost consciousness, is vomiting, having seizures, or having obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination.

If left undiagnosed, a concussion may place a person at risk of developing second-impact syndrome, a potentially fatal injury that occurs when an athlete sustains a second head injury before a previous head injury has healed.”

https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-concussion.htm 

Important Concussion Notes: 

• Most people DO NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS with concussions
• When in doubt, SIT OUT!
• See your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and assessment for concussion symptoms and return to play

Reminders: Please review previous Rhody Huddle emails for more information on the topics listed below

• Remember your sunscreen and mouth guard if you use one
• There will be a first aid tote and AED located on the tar
• There will be QR codes to request  NARCAN and fentanyl testing strips on the first aid table
• Concussion information sheet will also be on the first aid table
• Additional first aid kits will be located near each field in red tote bags