Week 4 - Concussions Flashcards
What is a Concussion?
Mild TBI
blow to head or body that shakes the braln’
S&S usually resolve in 1-4 weeks but vary greatly
Most common head injury
Coup?
injury to brain at point of impact
Contr-coup?
Injury to brain at opposite point of impact
4 categories of Symptoms?
Thinking & remembering
Physical
Emotion/ mood
Sleep
Thinking/ remembering Symptoms?
foggy
slow
lose concentration
forget new information
forget old info
Phys Symptoms?
N&V
Headache
blurry vision
dizzy
light/ noise sensitive
bad balance
tired / low energy
Emotion/ mood Symptoms?
easily upset/ angry
sad
nervous/ anxious
more emotional
Sleep Symptoms?
Sleep more or less than usual
trouble falling asleep
Strongest recover predictor for slow Concussion recovery?
Symptom severity in first few days
Memory too –> then nature, burden, duration of symptoms
concussion Reg=cigniton Tool 6?
help non-med personnel identify a concussion
SCAT 6?
standardized tool for concussions in people over 13
Immediately after injury
Designed for use by liscenced hleathcare professionals
Neuro function, balance, coordination, cognition
How to diagnose a concussion?
By an MD or a NP
Clinical history, physical exam, neuropsychological tests
Imaging (CT scan or MRI)
Treatment in first 24hrs?
After being seen by doctor
- watch for worsening symptoms
Recovery?
- REst
- sleep
- no alcohol/ drugs
Avoid physical/ mental demanding activities that bring about symptoms )when symptoms return during activity, stop and rest, try again in 24-48hrs - Dont drive/ operate machines
- Use pain meds as directed
- Most recover in 7-10 days
- Brain is much more sensitive to reinjury (3x more likely)
Results of Aerobic Exercise?
Starting aerobic exercise earlier can lead to faster recovery
Second Impat Syndrome?
R2P too soon and they sustain second concussion before full recovery from first
Brain swells –> 50% mortality - disability or death
S&S
- dont lose consciousness but have a rapid decrease in function
Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Symptoms lasting longer than expected (or new symptoms appearing)
Repeated Cs?
Athletes with > 3 Cs have a decreased score on memory and neuropsychological tests vs athletes w/ out Cs.
CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Repeated Brain Trauma
- memory loss, aggression, depressopm, explosive, PFC dysfunction
- Only detected after death
- P-tau proteins gather and tangle in brain
NFL Game day protocol?
7 observable signs or a C
- if C identified = immediate removal from game and no same-day R2P
If player passes test they will be monitored for the rest of the game
Fines and loss of draft pics if not followed
Canadian Guideline on C in Sport? (7 parts)
1) preseason education
2) Head injury recognition
3) Onsite Medical Assessment
4) Medical Assessment
5) C Management
6) Multidisciplinary C Care
7) R2P
C Awareness Training Tool (CATT)?
AIM = standardize C recognition, diagnoses, treatment, and management
Based on principles from Zurich C Consensus Statement
Several tool kits for different people on their website
Training Modules
What is and is not a C?
Not a brain bruise
- Acceleration and Deceleration forces sustained by brain (lateral rotation force is most severe)
- Stretch the axons of neurons (can cause rapid firing which is a seizure) –> Disrupts axons cytoskeleton = swelling/ dysfunction
- Neurons can become temporarily disabled or permanently injured
-Cant detect w/ MRI/ CT scan unless vessels are damaged (but not usually the case
- Tho regulation of blood flow can be disrupted, there is not usually bleeding
C. vs CTE?
CTE = progressive degenerative brain disease in those w/ Hx of repetitive brain trauma.
Build up of abnormal Tau-proteins -> aggregate around blood vessels (arteries)
Symptoms of CTE?
Substantial mood change
- anger
- suicidal ideation
- depression
- headache
- explosive
- impulsive
- confusion
- memory problems
- progressive dementia
Factors that can result in CTE?
Neuro-trauma
Substance use
chronic pain
athletic identity
mental health
