Concussion
This page will help you prepare and act correctly to provide first aid for a concussion.
When Does a Concussion Occur?
A concussion occurs as a result of a head injury or an impact to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly and suddenly. This sudden movement can lead to chemical changes in the brain, and sometimes extends to damage brain cells.
Concussion is considered one ofthe least severe types ofbrain injuries. It isalso referred to asa traumatic brain injury.
In some cases, a concussion is accompanied by fainting, loss of balance, headache, and drowsiness. In other cases, these symptoms may not appear.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
- Symptoms of a Mild Concussion:
- Confusion and inability to concentrate or think clearly.
- Feeling drowsy and having difficulty staying awake.
- Headache.
- Short-term loss of consciousness.
- Memory loss of events that occurred before or right after the injury.
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Seeing flashes or bright lights.
Sleep disturbances.
- Symptoms of a Concussion That Require Immediate Emergency Attention:
- Changes in alertness and awareness.
- Persistent confusion.
- Muscle weakness in one side of the body or both.
- Difference in the size of pupils.
- Abnormal eye movements.
- Repeated vomiting.
- Problems walking or maintaining balance.
- Long-term loss of consciousness or persistent unconsciousness.
Exercise caution when moving people who have sustained a head injury.
How to Handle a Concussion?
Loss of consciousness is not required for a concussion; a person may suffer a concussion without losing consciousness.
- If you believe someone may have a concussion, follow these steps:
- Ensure the area is safe.
- Check if the injured person has lost consciousness. If the person is unconscious, check their airway, breathing, and pulse rate.
- If the person is breathing normally and has a regular pulse butis unconscious, do not move them and wait for emergency services.CPR).
- If the person is unconscious and not breathing or has an irregular pulse, begin CPR.
- Only move the patient if absolutely necessary.
- Check the patient’s mental awareness.
- Examine the patient’s eyes.
- Be alert for vomiting.
Keep the patient awake for some time to see if their condition changes or worsens.
- Call emergency services immediately if the following symptoms appear:
- Increased drowsiness or difficulty waking up after the injury.
- Neck stiffness.
- Behavioral changes or abnormal behavior.
- Changes in speech.
- Confusion or problems with clear thinking.
- Changes in vision, such as double vision or blurriness..
- Fever.
- Bleeding or discharge fromthe nose or ears.
- Severe headache or headache lasting for a long time, or not improving with painkillers.
- Difficulty walking.
- Seizures (shaking of the arms or legs uncontrollably).
- Vomiting more than three times.
If symptoms don’t disappear or improve after two or three weeks.
Emergency Numbers in the Gulf States:
Oman: 9999
Saudi Arabia: 997
Kuwait: 112
Qatar: 999
UAE: 998
Bahrain: 999
