How to diagnose concussion: symptoms, first aid, the need for hospitalization, treatment

The article talks about how to diagnose a concussion. In addition, attention is paid to many other issues related to this problem. It is important to immediately note that concussion is the most common traumatic brain injury. It is not dangerous and does not entail any serious consequences only with timely diagnosis and treatment.

A concussion becomes possible only after mechanical damage to the head (shock, fall, and so on). It is very interesting that medicine still cannot answer some questions, for example, why are such symptoms observed? The thing is that even computed tomography does not reveal pathological changes in both tissues and the cerebral cortex.

Severity

Before answering the question of how to diagnose concussion, let us single out the severity of the damage. Just note that this separation is conditional, and the main criterion is the time that the victim spent unconscious.

It is customary to distinguish only three degrees of severity.

Symptomatology

How to diagnose a concussion at home? Enough to listen to the symptoms. Please note that this type of injury (especially when it comes to grade 1) can be obtained even with a weak blow to the head, neck or strong shaking of the head. Many do not even suspect that they have "earned" a concussion, since the symptoms are latent.

The most common symptoms are:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• vomiting
• headaches;
• the presence of a foreign body in front of the eyes (asterisks, net, fly, and so on);
• general weakness;
• short-term memory loss;
• impaired coordination of movements.

Causes and Risk Factors

As mentioned earlier, the cause of the injury is physical impact (shock, fall, shake, and so on). In this case, the blow may not even fall on the head, but on the neck.

As many people know, the brain inside the cranium has a triple meninges. Between the latter there is a constant circulation of fluid, acting as a kind of shock absorber. If the blow is not strong, then it does not allow the organ to be injured, but with a strong blow, the liquid can not cope with its task.

Particular attention in this matter should be given specifically to children. We will talk about how to diagnose a concussion in a child, what symptoms can be noticed, and so on, a little later. Now we will understand why exactly children are at risk. Children who have just started walking on their own cannot yet fully coordinate their movements. Also included here are the elderly, who because of their age often stumble or fall due to dizziness or loss of consciousness. In addition, those who have previously received any head injuries are also at risk. Why? Head injuries can be accompanied by dizziness and loss of consciousness even after a long period of time.

Diagnostics

How is adult concussion diagnosed? In addition to symptoms, an analysis of the whole picture is necessary. That is, the doctor must ask about complaints and evaluate the visible signs. Which doctor diagnoses a concussion? It all depends on the severity and associated problems. If the patient is in serious condition and other problems are observed (bleeding, dislocation, fracture, and so on), then a consultation with a traumatologist is necessary. Please note that bleeding requires immediate surgery. In the event that the injury does not manifest itself in any way, it will be enough to visit a neurologist.

Diagnostic Methods:

1. If pain and pressure are observed when the pupils move along the sides, then this is considered a sign of concussion.
2. Assess the reaction of the pupils immediately after injury (they either narrow or expand.
3. Take an object in your hand, let the patient look at it. Now slowly transfer it to another place and evaluate the reaction of the pupils. If during movement they will twitch a little, then this is a symptom of concussion.
4. Ask the person to put their feet together, stand on them, close their eyes and stretch their arms forward. If there is no injury, then the victim will easily take this position.

Diagnosis of a concussion in a child

How to diagnose a concussion in a child? It is immediately necessary to note that this process is much more complicated than in an adult. The fact is that a small child cannot fully describe the nature of the symptoms that appear. As mentioned earlier, children are at risk. Thanks to nature, because it is provided for it. The cranial bones of children are mobile and very durable. Not many people know that at the time of birth 2 halves of the skull can “enter” each other, which makes it possible to be born into the world. We can observe the same reaction upon impact. Due to mobility and elasticity, it is highly likely to avoid injury. As for newborns, everyone knows about the existence of a fontanel, which is a protection against injuries. During physical exposure, the soft part of the skull (fontanel) protrudes slightly, preventing an increase in intracranial pressure.

After hitting the head, the child must be carefully monitored. Symptoms that indicate the presence of injury:

• pale skin;
• drowsiness;
• vomiting and nausea;
• nosebleeds;
• headaches;
• rapid breathing.

If you notice these symptoms in your child, then go to the hospital, where the specialist will prescribe a number of examinations:

• X-ray
• computed tomography;
• fundus examination;
• encephalography.

Considering the question of how to diagnose a concussion in a child, it is necessary to say the following: it is better to take the child to the hospital for examination. So you will not worry about getting complications afterwards.

Features of trauma in infants

Before we find out how to diagnose a concussion in a baby, we suggest talking about the features of this trauma in children of the first year of life. Toddlers fall quite often, but the consequence in the form of a concussion is a rather rare occurrence. As already mentioned, the bones of the cranium in children are elastic, mobile, supple. And as many as 4 fontanels ensure the safety of the crumbs when falling from a small height. Another measure of protection is the large amount of cerebral fluid that surrounds the organ. This is a kind of "shock absorbers" in the fall. Even falling upside down from a small height can do without a fright, but not with trauma or pain.

Despite this, the main task of parents is to protect their child. But if the fall has already occurred, then it is necessary to observe the baby, and if symptoms occur, immediately go to the hospital. It is also important to know that concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury in which the brain is not injured but strikes the bones of the skull. At the same time, one can observe not a long-term violation of its functions.

Symptoms in infants

Symptoms in infants, as a rule, are not very pronounced, they are smoothed. Careful attention is required during the day, during which time symptoms may appear. If there are none, then a visit to the doctor is not required.

Symptoms

• the child is lethargic;
• apathetic;
• there is no reaction to your favorite toy or game, mom or other close relatives;
• the child eats poorly;
• profuse regurgitation is observed;
• slight trembling of the pupils;
• pallor of the skin;
• the baby becomes moody;
• irritable;
• constant crying;
• sleep disturbances;
• strong ripple in the fontanel;
• cramps.

Not all symptoms must be manifested, 1-2 will be sufficient reason for contacting a medical institution.

Consequences in infants

This injury does not pose a serious threat to the health and life of the crumbs. Other head injuries are considered more dangerous, which are often "disguised" as a concussion. It can be a brain injury or the formation of a hematoma. That is why it is so necessary to consult a specialist when symptoms are detected. If the doctor's recommendations are followed, then the prognosis is very favorable. After three weeks, all the functions of the body will return to normal. If the crumb had a concussion, then subsequent injuries are dangerous, repeated concussion threatens with post-traumatic encephalopathy.

Parent Actions

If symptoms are found, then parents should do the following:

• call an ambulance crew;
• while you are waiting for a doctor: take the child in his arms, put on the right barrel, the joints of the knees and elbows are bent (this facilitates the general condition of the crumbs);
• do not give any drugs, eat or drink;
• if the baby falls asleep, then you should not wake him;
• tell the doctors - symptoms, from what height the fall occurred, show the place of impact.

Next, the child is delivered to the hospital. How is a hospital concussion diagnosed in infants? Assigned to:

• Ultrasound
• EEG;
• radiography;
• MRI
• examination by a neurologist;
• examination by an ophthalmologist.

A few days will have to stay in the hospital so that the doctors are convinced of the absence of other injuries. After discharge, you must follow all the doctor's recommendations:

• peace
• bed rest;
• absence of irritants (both light and sound);
• lack of active games;
• cancel daily massage;
• taking sedatives, vitamins and other drugs prescribed by your doctor.

First aid and treatment

We told in detail about how to diagnose concussion, now we pass to rendering first aid.

1. Put the victim in an embryo pose on his right side.
2. If there is external bleeding, stop it.
3. Stay with the patient until the doctors arrive, make sure that he does not choke on his vomiting, provide peace and access to fresh air.
4. You can’t drink and eat, an extreme case is a sip of clean water.

When the doctor conducts an examination, he will decide on the methods of treatment and hospitalization. The prognosis for concussion is positive, but only subject to all recommendations. The patient needs:

• peace
• sleep;
• lack of stress (both physical and emotional);
• temporary refusal to exercise;
• bed rest from 3 days to a week.

Drug therapy is secondary, but no less important. Drugs are necessary to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, improve blood circulation and sleep, calm the nervous system and so on. Often appointed:

1. Antioxidants - for example, the intravenous drugs Actovegin, Mildronate.
2. Dehydrated tablets, such as Diacarb.
3. Cavinton and other vascular stabilizing drugs.
4. Vitamin complexes, with the obligatory inclusion of B vitamins, folic acid, phosphorus.
5. With severe pain, disorders, insomnia - sedatives. The most appropriate of them are Adaptol, Dormiplant and their analogues.