Debunking Ten Myths About Concussion
Concussion is still widely misunderstood, despite being a form of brain injury. From how serious it can be to how long it might last, its invisible nature and clinical classification as āmildā could be responsible for perpetuating unhelpful myths.
Around 1 million people in the UK attend A&E with a head injury every year; 80-90% of those are mild injuries and only 10% get admitted. This leaves many potentially sustained concussions unacknowledged and/or untreated.
Debunking common myths about concussion is the first crucial step in being able to recognise the real signs of a concussion, securing an accurate diagnosis and getting access to the best possible care.
1. Concussion is classified as a mild TBI, so itās not serious
Clinicians tend to use a classification system to diagnose a brain injury, and concussion falls on the mild side of the mild-to-severe scale. This doesnāt mean that concussion is nothing to worry about or doesnāt need treatment: it just rules out outcomes like a bleed on the brain which might need emergency treatment.
Symptoms should be monitored for months following a head injury or concussion and if they havenāt fully resolved, you should seek medical advice and guidance.
2. A hit to the head after a concussion is always another concussion
Not every impact after a concussion causes a new concussion. A subsequent knock may simply aggravate symptoms from the original injury, while multiple impacts over a short period can contribute to the same concussion. However, any new hit during recovery should be taken seriously, as it can increase the risk of prolonged symptoms and complications.
3. You have to lose consciousness for it to be a concussion
Impacts donāt have to appear as obvious or debilitating to have an effect on the brain. In fact, 90% of concussions donāt involve a loss of consciousness. An apparently small knock can bring about a concussion, or repeated small knocks.
The myth that you have to lose consciousness has roots in sports, where the media and clinical guidelines would place the most emphasis on āknockoutā cases of concussion. This led to false conceptions that a loss of consciousness was a required symptom of the injury.
4. No immediate symptoms means no concussion
Even though a concussion can feel quite immediate, concussion symptoms may not appear for up to 48 hours after the moment of impact. This is because the brainās response to injury can unfold gradually, and everyday factors can exacerbate symptoms that werenāt previously noticeable.
5. Concussion symptoms are purely physical
Even though the physical symptoms are the most obvious, concussion can result in neurological, cognitive and emotional problems too. Some studies suggest that these non-physical symptoms are more likely to develop over time with persistent-concussive symptoms or post-concussion syndrome.
6. Post-concussion syndrome is ājust anxiety or depressionā
While persistent post-concussive symptoms or post-concussion syndrome can include depression and anxiety, a concussion can affect multiple processes in the body and brain in complex ways.
7. If you feel mostly better after a concussion, you can return to play
Concussion in sports has its own protocol for ensuring you donāt put your health further at risk. Even if your concussion symptoms seem to have fully resolved after a period of rest, it is necessary to follow up with a medical or healthcare professional for diagnosis and/or advice on whether you can return to play.
In the instance that they say you can, a gradual return-to-play protocol should be followed.
8. Protective gear will prevent you from getting a concussion
No type of protective gear prevents concussion, not even hard-shell helmets. Helmets canāt stop the brain from shaking within the skull when a jolt occurs ā but they should still be used to reduce the risk of fractures or penetrating injuries.
Sometimes, protective gear leads to a false sense of security, which can lead to less care during play and a higher risk of injury. Protective gear should be fitted correctly and paired with safe playing techniques to minimise the chance of impact in the first place.
9. Concussions are always temporary and will heal on their own
While concussions can resolve on their own with plenty of physical and cognitive rest, this isnāt always the case. Symptoms could actually persist for longer than usual, resulting in what is sometimes called post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
The causes(s) of post-concussion syndrome or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) are still being researched, but one theory is that an injury can cause an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that leads to the symptoms.
10. Thereās nothing I can do to support my post-concussion recovery
A range of clinical therapies and at-home approaches can help relieve symptoms and improve outcomes, from occupational to speech and language therapy.
If your post-concussion symptoms continue for more than a few weeks, are worsening or starting to influence your daily life, itās important to see a healthcare professional. From there, you may consider specialist services like those we partner with at Brain Injury Group.
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