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A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. 

-Courtesy of CDC

• Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall
• Appears dazed or stunned
• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes

-Courtesy of CDC

• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision
• Bothered by light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”

-Courtesy of CDC

A person doesn't have to lose consciousness to get a concussion. Most concussions actually occur without a loss of consciousness.

While some may not view a concussion as serious, a TBI is a very real possibility. This can have long-term consequences such as problems with memory and thinking, trouble regulating emotions and learning as well as negative impacts on sensory and motor functions. Needless to say, this can have severe consequences in all aspects of one's life.

Recovery from a concussion can take much longer than anticipated. Months, even years before fully recovering. In some cases, the effects of a concussion are permanent. How your brain and body function as well as how you process emotions can be severely impacted. The more concussions you've had, the greater the risk of PCS.

• TBI is the leading cause of disability [1]
• In Canada alone, a TBI case occurs every 3 minutes, resulting in 456 people daily [2]
• In Canada, there are an estimated over 400,000 concussions each year (worldwide, that number increases to 40,000,000) [3]. Due to the fact that this study is based on physician visits and most concussions go undiagnosed, this figure is likely much higher
• Following a brain injury, a person has a noticeably higher likelihood of developing a mental disorder [4, 5]
• Individuals with concussions are three times more likely to commit suicide [6]
• More recent studies suggest that while clinicians estimated 90% would recover fully, only 50% achieved full symptomatic and functional recovery [7]. Thus illustrating that our current standard of diagnostic criteria as well as treatment protocols are insufficient
• A recent study shows that NHL enforcers (a position known for more fighting and blows to the head) tend to die 10 years earlier than the rest of their teammates [8]
• Another recent study suggests that children and young adults who experience a concussion have a 40% greater risk of developing mental health issues, self-harm and psychiatric hospitalization [9]
• Data suggests that preexisting mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression increases the risk of a prolonged recovery time [10]

Sources