What is a concussion?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Firstly, a concussion is a relatively mild condition where the brain sustains damage, usually accompanied by disturbances in consciousness, which are temporary, such as unconsciousness lasting no longer than half an hour. The second symptom is akin to amnesia, where the injured person is unable to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of the injury, symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure and pale complexion can occur; some patients may also experience dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, poor sleep, as well as a range of clinical manifestations including lack of concentration and memory decline.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does a concussion cause a fever?

Concussion is a relatively mild form of traumatic brain injury. The main clinical manifestations are disturbances of consciousness, usually including disturbances such as unconsciousness, but typically not exceeding half an hour. There is also recent memory loss, and the inability to recall the incident causing the injury. Some patients may experience dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, tinnitus, or difficulty concentrating and decreased memory. Additionally, a very small number of concussion patients might experience a low-grade fever.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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How is a concussion treated?

The choice of treatment for concussion must be based on the situation. In the majority of cases, symptomatic treatment combined with corresponding therapies is adopted. However, sometimes complications can occur and treatment depends on the patient's current state. The first step is to ensure adequate sleep; a concussion involves damage to some of the brain's neuronal cells and only with sufficient sleep can the functional recovery of these cells be relatively thorough, otherwise, there could be residual long-term effects. The second measure is to actively improve cerebral circulation and provide neuroprotective treatment. The third step involves providing the respective auxiliary treatments like controlling blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing blood lipids. Fourthly, if complications such as headaches and dizziness occur, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to effectively reduce the likelihood of residual effects, so early treatment is very necessary.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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Concussions are classified into several types.

Concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, characterized by transient brain dysfunction without visible neuropathological changes, although microscopic examination can reveal disordered neural structures. Generally, there are two types of concussions. The mild form manifests immediately after the injury with transient disturbances in consciousness and mental clarity, often lasting a few seconds to minutes, usually not exceeding half an hour. Upon waking, the individual cannot recall the incident, a condition known as retrograde amnesia. The second type, the severe form, involves more significant disturbances in consciousness that last longer, accompanied by symptoms such as pallor, cool and moist limbs, sweating, decreased blood pressure, slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, and the loss of various physiological reflexes. However, as consciousness is regained, these symptoms gradually normalize, followed by headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. With time and treatment, improvement typically occurs.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is a concussion considered a minor injury?

Patients with concussion exhibit a brief disturbance in consciousness due to injury, which does not last more than half an hour. They also experience recent memory loss, meaning patients cannot recall the circumstances of the injury. Additionally, some patients may experience a range of clinical symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, lack of concentration, and decreased memory. The vast majority of concussion patients can recover with one to two weeks of rest. Furthermore, head CT scans of concussion patients do not show any organic changes. Therefore, concussions are generally not considered minor injuries.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is a concussion scary?

Firstly, a concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, mainly characterized by transient consciousness disturbances, generally not lasting more than half an hour. The second characteristic is recent memory loss, with an inability to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of the injury, one may also experience pale complexion, blood pressure drop, and pupil constriction. After the injury, some patients may suffer from dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, tinnitus, lack of concentration, and memory decline, among other clinical symptoms. Patients with a concussion generally recover after 1-2 weeks of systematic treatment, and the majority of concussions are recoverable, so they are not as fearsome as believed.