Is It A Concussion? Here Are 7 Ways to Tell

Concussions.

Soldiers fall victim. So do search and rescue officers. And lots of athletes.

If you’re active, you’re at risk. And data shows it’s caught up with us. The number of concussion-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths increased by 53 percent between the years of 2006 and 2014.

Sports alone contribute to an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions each year.

Team Wendy engineers work long hours researching concussion prevention and traumatic brain injury. If you’re worried about a concussion, helmet construction means everything. But we all must be prepared. If a teammate or comrade takes a blow to the head, be on the lookout for these seven warning signs.

One pupil larger than the other.

This could be the sign of a structural brain injury. If so, immediate medical attention is required. Source: University of Michigan

Drowsiness.

Drowsiness sets in because the brain has less energy to spare than it normally does. Everything takes a little more energy than before, leading to fatigue. Source: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

A headache that gets worse instead of better.

If a headache progresses instead of subsides, that’s an obvious tip-off.

Weakness, slurred speech or decreased coordination.
 

Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures.

Symptoms may worsen over the first 48 hours. Concussion victims should not be left alone during this time. Source: The Cleveland Clinic

Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness or agitation. 

Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and moodiness can aggravate physical symptoms (headaches, dizziness, tiredness, problems sleeping, memory problems, trouble concentrating). Source: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out)

Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously; however, keep in mind that many concussion victims DO NOT pass out. Stay close to the victim involved in the impact. Some symptoms are immediately evident. Others are not.
 
By Ron Szalkowski
Director of Product Development and Research Collaboration