Concussions

Peyton Garrett

Mrs. Bobbi Severt

EXPW 1150-501

28 April 2015

        Concussions are very serious injuries that are often taken lightly. Every year, numerous people are diagnosed with concussions that range from mild to severe. These brain injuries may lead to hospital visits, cause brain damage, or even death. A concussion is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as, “A condition resulting from the stunning, damaging, or shattering effects of a hard blow; especially: a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function and sometimes marked by permanent damage.” Generally, a concussion can be the outcome of a direct collision or blow to the head that causes the brain to shake within the skull, causing swelling, and further causes damage to the brain. Today, concussions need to be prevented as much as possible. This task can be more readily achieved by understanding what a concussion is, knowing the signs and symptoms, how they affect the brain and body, and how to properly treat them.

        The first process in dealing with a concussion is being able to spot the signs and symptoms of a concussion. At first, these signs may be hidden or not very obvious. However, sometimes the symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even longer. Some of the most immediate and direct signs of a concussion include: vomiting, headache, nausea, slurred speech, fatigue, amnesia, confusion, ringing in the ears, or delayed response (Concussions). Other symptoms do not always appear immediately and take some time to become more recognizable. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to: irritability, personality changes, sensitivity to noise and light, memory complaints, lack of concentration, depression, sleep disturbances, and taste/smell disorders (Concussions).

        Throughout my life I have been active in sports including baseball, basketball, football, and golf. Until my junior year of high school I, was blessed to be concussion free. During a game at Clay County High School, I vaguely remember going up for a rebound. After being temporarily unconscious, I woke up with tons of people around me. My head was throbbing and my ears were ringing. The following day I went through many different tests that I honestly do not think I could have passed even if I wasn’t concussed. The doctor ordered me to stay in a dark room for twenty-four hours with no access to television, cell phone, or any other kind of stimulating activities. Like I was directed, the best treatment for anyone with a concussion is complete rest. Any activity that requires brain stimulation needs to be limited, such as video games, schoolwork, or reading (Concussions).

        Two areas of the brain are most affected by concussions, the temporal and frontal lobes. Damage to the temporal lobe can cause short-term memory loss, mood regulation changes, and auditory process problems. Likewise, damage to the frontal lobes can affect organization, concentration, complex thinking, and executive functioning (The Science behind Concussions). Primarily involved in language functions, the temporal lobes are critical for verbal memory in the left hemisphere and non-verbal visual memory in the right hemisphere. Damage to the temporal lobes can severely affect your memory temporarily, or if severe enough, permanently.