Concussion
What does the term "concussion" describe?
An injury to the brain caused by an impact to the head.
Which of the following is not a symptom of a concussion?
Fever
Which side of the brain injury can lead to visual-spatial impairment?
Right side.
True or False: Males are twice as likely as females to sustain a TBI.
True.
After a concussion, the brain requires _________ to recover.
rest
True or False: A concussion is always life-threatening.
False.
What happens to cerebral blood flow in a TBI?
It decreases.
Symptoms of a TBI can include...
ex: Memory disturbances, confusion, mood changes, hemiparesis, visual field deficits.
What is one factor that affects TBI recovery?
ex: Age at injury, amount of injury, time since injury, behavior before injury, motivation, substance use.
List one protocol used to prevent TBI in sports.
ex: Increased training of coaches, stricter return-to-play protocols, use of HITS helmets.
What differentiates a concussion from a severe TBI?
Concussion is a "mild" TBI with "temporary" symptoms, while severe TBI often has lasting effects and multiple injuries.
What are some long-term conditions that professional athletes may develop due to repeated concussions?
Dementia, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, depression, cognitive and memory loss.
Name two possible symptoms of diffuse brain injury.
Reduced thinking speed, confusion, fatigue, impaired cognitive skills, reduced attention and concentration.
Why might seniors be at a higher risk for severe outcomes following a TBI?
They are more susceptible to serious complications due to age-related health factors and may have longer recovery times.
Which age groups are at the highest risk for TBI?
1. Ages 0-4
2. 15-19 years.
3. 75+ years
List three symptoms of a concussion.
Dizziness, nausea, dazed feeling, visual symptoms, irritability, ect.
Select all that apply: How does the mechanism of injury in a concussion affect brain physiology?
True or False: Left-sided brain injuries can affect verbal memory and language understanding.
True
Explain how substance use affects TBI recovery.
Substance use can impede recovery and worsen outcomes.
What is Second Impact Syndrome?
A potentially fatal condition after a second concussion before the first one heals.
May lead to death
Briefly explain second impact syndrome.
Ex: Occurs when a second brain injury happens before the first one has healed, and can be fatal.
Explain how penetrating brain injuries differ from closed-head injuries.
Penetrating injuries involve an object breaking through the skull into the brain; closed-head injuries do not penetrate but can still cause significant damage.
Describe at least one behavioral deficit following a TBI.
Poor self control, impulsivity Limited insight into deficits, Lack of initiative, Non-compliance, Depression, Decreased understanding of social rules, Irritability, agitation, aggression, Low threshold for over stimulation, Emotional lability (i.e., shifts in emotional state), Low frustration tolerance
What is "cumulative effect" in professional athletes with TBIs?
ex: Repeated TBIs over time leading to long-term cognitive and mood disorders, such as dementia or depression.
Describe the importance of the “return-to-play” protocol.
Ensures athletes only resume activities when their brain is fully healed, preventing further injury.