Wisconsin Concussion Fact for Athletes at are the signs and for signs care Assess and provider the symptoms of a concussion? s Unlike a broken arm, you can’t see a concussion. Mo st Contact a con cu ssion o ccu r wi thout loss of con sciou sne ss. Be Signs health What is a concussion? practices or games in any sport or recreational activity. A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A and symptoms of concussion can show up right after an concussion is injury or may not appear or be noticed until hours or days caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. after the injury. It is important to watch for changes in how Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body you are feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, or if you that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back just feel right.” If you think you or a teammate may “don’t and forth. Even what seems to be a mild bump to the have a concussion, it is important to tell someone. head can be serious. Concussions can occur during COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION: Tell someone if you see a teammate Tell someone if you feel any of the following: with any of these symptoms: • Shows behavior or • Fatigue or feeling tired • Appears dazed or stunned personality changes Blurry or double vision • • Forgets sports plays Sensitivity to light or noise • Is confused assignment or • • Numbness or tingling Thinking/Remembering: position • Does not right” “feel Difficulty thinking clearly • • Moves clumsily • Difficulty concentrating or Answers questions slowly • Emotional: remembering Repeats questions • Irritable Feeling more slowed down • • • Can’t recall events prior to Sad • • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy the hit, bump, or fall • More emotional than usual Can’t recall events after the • • Nervous Physical: hit, bump, or fall Headache or in head • “pressure” • consciousness Changes in your normal sleep • Nausea or vomiting (even briefly) patterns. • Balance problems or dizziness Materials adapted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control a nd P r e v e nt i on
Wisconsin Concussion Fact for Athletes Assess the Be for signs and Contact a health care provider are the signs and symptoms of a concussion? Unlike a broken arm, you can’t see a concussion. Mo st con cu ssion s o ccu r wi thout loss of con sciou sne ss. Signs What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even what seems to be a mild bump to the head can be serious. Concussions can occur during practices or games in any sport or recreational activity. and symptoms of concussion can show up right after an injury or may not appear or be noticed until hours or days after the injury. It is important to watch for changes in how you are feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, or if you just “don’t feel right.” If you think you or a teammate may have a concussion, it is important to tell someone. COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION: Tell someone if you see a teammate Tell someone if you feel any of the following: with any of these symptoms: • Appears dazed or stunned • Forgets sports plays • Is confused assignment or position • Moves clumsily • Answers questions slowly • Repeats questions • Can’t recall events prior to the hit, bump, or fall • Can’t recall events after the hit, bump, or fall • consciousness (even briefly) • Shows behavior or personality changes Thinking/Remembering: • Difficulty thinking clearly • Difficulty concentrating or remembering • Feeling more slowed down • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Physical: • Headache or “pressure” in head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Fatigue or feeling tired • Blurry or double vision • Sensitivity to light or noise • Numbness or tingling • Does not “feel right” Emotional: • Irritable • Sad • More emotional than usual • Nervous Changes in your normal sleep patterns. Materials adapted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control a nd P r e v e nt i on at
tbi-conc-facts-athletes.docx