💊Daily Pill: What is a Concussion?
🥊💥 K.O.
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The Daily Pill is a series of very short daily posts where I share the definition of a medical term I think we should all know. Read it every morning and build up your medical vocabulary.
Concussion
Medically speaking, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow the head or body leading to rapid movement of the brain inside the skull.
The brain is floating inside your skull in cerebrospinal fluid with a gap in between the surface of the brain and the inside wall of the skull, so any rapid movement will lead to impact and recoil as the brain shifts inside the skull, resulting in brain bruising and disruption of normal brain function.
If you don’t believe me look at this MRI, that black stuff around the brain is the empty gap with cerebrospinal fluid:
Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on history and physical examination, including a neurological assessment. Imaging like CT or MRI is usually normal in concussions but might be used to rule out more severe injuries.
🤔Why you need to know:
Because if you get a concussion - which you might, given the way you ppl train, you need to make absolutely sure you manage it properly. No exceptions.
Concussion symptoms can vary widely but commonly include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, balance problems, and memory issues. Some people might experience sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, or irritability.
Management involves physical and cognitive rest until symptoms improve, followed by a gradual return to normal activities under medical supervision. It's crucial to avoid activities that risk another head injury during recovery, as repeated concussions can lead to cumulative brain damage and longer recovery times.
🧠Trivia:
It is generally easier to get another concussion after having one already. This increased susceptibility is due to several factors, including residual damage from the first concussion and altered brain function that hasn't fully healed.
In the context of combat sports, the phrase "losing their chin" refers to decreased ability to withstand punches. After a first knockout in their careers, fighters may be more prone to subsequent concussions and knockouts because their brain becomes more sensitive to impacts. This is partly why repeated head injuries can lead to chronic issues and why medical professionals emphasize adequate recovery time after a concussion.
