Several fallacies concerning concussions have been promoted by popular media. Incorrect protocols and treatment of concussions may result from these misconceptions. Notably, there has been a significant increase in the number of accessible scientific information on the effects of concussions. Your experts in sports medicine, Dr. Zachary K Perlman, recommends understanding what is true and what is not before making any conclusions. It is essential to distinguish fact from fiction in light of new information. As such, the following are the top five concussion myths you should ignore:
1. The most common cause of concussions is a sports-related injury
Youth sports concussions, in particular, are a significant issue in the media right now. However, keep in mind that a brain injury may happen outside of sports. Falls and vehicle accidents are the two leading causes of concussions, respectively, according to the CDC. A brain injury may occur to anybody, not only players who participate in contact sports.
Being aware of a concussion’s warning signs and symptoms might help you stay safe. In the event of a trauma, knowing when to get medical attention will be helpful.
2. To have a concussion, you must be unconscious
This is one of the most common fallacies regarding concussions in television and cinema. As a result of this misconception, individuals may mistakenly believe that they haven’t received a concussion since they did not lose consciousness during the incident. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center estimates that roughly 10% of concussion victims experience a loss of consciousness (UPMC).
Furthermore, a concussion that causes a person to lose consciousness is not always a sign of a more severe injury. UPMC performed a study that tracked concussion victims, both those who had lost consciousness and those who had not. According to their research, a person’s loss of consciousness does not always indicate a more serious injury or a longer recovery period.
3. Only a blow to the head may cause a concussion
A blow to the head isn’t the only cause of a concussion. Another part of the body may have been struck indirectly, causing rapid movement of the skull and brain. The brain’s energy metabolism is temporarily altered, causing concussion symptoms.
4. Someone who has concussions has to be kept awake
People have long believed that concussion victims should not be allowed to sleep for fear that they would go into a coma or lose consciousness without anybody noticing. Many people think it is vital to keep an eye on individuals who have had concussions and wake them up often to avoid this. According to the BBC, sleeping may cause an extremely unusual, but possibly lethal, side effect known as the “lucid interval” in people who are suffering from a brain hemorrhage or hematoma.
However, concussions are seldom connected with internal bleeding in the brain, and if a medical practitioner clears a person with a concussion, it is safe for them to sleep.
5. Injury causes immediate concussion symptoms
In other cases, the concussion symptoms may not begin until the following day or even two or more days after the event. It is more common among young athletes to have delayed indications and symptoms.
The most effective defense against sustaining a concussion is knowledge. Prepare yourself by familiarizing yourself with the warning signs, symptoms, and services available. Do not let various myths deter you from seeking appropriate medical assistance.
