A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect hit to your head or body.
Your brain sits inside your skull surrounded by fluid. When your head takes a hit — as often happens in contact sports — your brain shifts or shakes around inside the skull.
The impact damages your brain cells, causing chemical and cellular changes in the brain.
The most common cause of a concussion is a hard, direct hit to the head in contact sports. It can also happen from an indirect hit that causes your head to jerk, like when you get whiplash.
Sports that increase an athlete's risk of head trauma include:
Younger athletes and females tend to take longer to get better from concussions.
Side effects of a concussion cause changes in how the brain functions, such as reduced reaction time. This can increase your chance of getting another concussion if you return to play before seeking treatment.
Repeated concussions can cause problems such as lasting cognitive issues.
No athlete should return to the game until all symptoms are gone and a doctor has cleared him or her to play.
Every concussion is unique. There are six clinical types, based on concussion signs and symptoms.
This is why — when it comes to concussion treatment — there isn’t a one-size-fits-all model.
The experts at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program have been leading concussion treatment for more than a decade.
Our team tailors active concussion recovery programs to meet each person's:
If you — or your coaches, parents, or athletic trainers — suspect you have a concussion, it's crucial that you:
To make an appointment or learn more about concussions, contact the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program at 412-432-3681.
Learn how UPMC Sports Medicine is ReThinking Concussions or see the links below (links open a new browser window):
UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
The warning signs of a concussion aren't always obvious. Few people lose consciousness because of it.
In fact, concussion “knocks out” only about 10 percent of people who sustain the mild traumatic brain injury.
The most common symptoms of concussion are:
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No two concussions are the same.
A doctor trained in diagnosing and managing concussions will need to perform a detailed exam and cognitive test. This will help him or her tell the grade and severity of the concussion.
During the concussion exam, your doctor will check your:
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Because each head injury is unique, the team of specialists at UPMC works closely to test and treat your concussion.
Cognitive tests — such as ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) — are key tools we use to diagnose signs of a concussion.
The ImPACT test looks at your:
Cognitive tests alone cannot diagnose a concussion.
You may also have a neurovestibular exam as part of the first evaluation. This exam looks for vestibular, balance, and vision problems that often occur with a concussion.
Your doctor may order imaging tests — such as MRI or CT scans — to make sure there's no bruising or bleeding in your brain.
To confirm a concussion diagnosis, your doctor will use the data from your:
To make an appointment or learn more about concussion symptoms and tests, call the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program at 412-432-3681.
Learn how UPMC Sports Medicine is ReThinking Concussions or see the links below (links open a new browser window):
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UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
Anyone who suspects a concussion should stop activity and seek medical care right away. Early treatment is the best way to recover faster and prevent further injury.
At the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, we tailor treatment plans based on each person's unique needs and concussion symptoms.
Treatment goals focus on healing your symptoms and allowing your brain to recover.
UPMC Sports Medicine offers many concussion treatment options including:
To make an appointment or learn more about concussion management and treatment, call the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program at 412-432-3681.
Learn how UPMC Sports Medicine is ReThinking Concussions or see the links below (links open a new browser window):
UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
When you suffer from a concussion, you can turn to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
We believe that learning more about concussions makes a difference in your recovery and helps prevent future head injuries. That's why we've compiled this list of resources.
If you still have questions or just want to talk to one of our concussion experts, call 412-432-3681.
Learn how UPMC Sports Medicine is ReThinking Concussions or see the links below (links open a new browser window):
UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
The links below will open a new browser window.
UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
The links below will open a new browser window.
UPMC's HealthBeat Blog: |
From our Health Library: |
To make an appointment or learn more about concussions, contact the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program at 412-432-3681.
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