By Wayne Hansen, DC — The topic of concussion has been in the news a lot lately. With the release ‘Concussion’, the new Will Smith movie, I have been getting more questions about the signs and symptoms of a concussion. It is important to get those who are suspected of a concussion immediate help. Here is a list of physical, cognitive and behavioral features related to a concussion:
- Physical features can include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, prolonged or greater than expected fatigue.
- Cognitive features can include confusion, feeling slowed down, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, impaired balance, feeling in a fog, difficulty concentrating and difficulty with memory.
- Behavioral features can include more emotional, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, sadness, anxiety, nervousness, sleep disturbances and personality changes.
Even if the cyclist is able to continue with their activities, the athlete with symptoms of a concussion or any other concerning changes in their health should get immediate medical attention and avoid any activity that can exacerbate the symptoms listed above.
For more information, see www.cdc.gov/concussion
Wayne Hansen, D.C. is a Chiropractic Physician practicing at Solutions Clinic in Cottonwood Heights. He specializes in treatment of athletes, particularly cyclists. [email protected]
