Hurt Your Head? Get Peace of Mind

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that affects brain function, but how do you know if you or your loved one has suffered a concussion? While the effects from a concussion are usually temporary, they can include headaches, confusion, problems with concentration and memory, as well as balance or coordination. Some concussions can make you lose consciousness, but most do not.

The most common causes of concussions are falls but contact sports such as soccer and football commonly have injuries that cause concussions. Most people usually recover fully after a concussion. Signs or symptoms from a concussion can be subtle and may not be evident immediately, though symptoms can last for days or weeks.

In children, concussions can cause a dazed appearance, excessive crying, a change in eating or sleeping, irritability and crankiness, or a lack of interest in favorite things. More severe signs include vomiting or seizures. Particularly with sports injuries in children and youth, experts recommend that athletes with a suspected head injury or concussion should be evaluated by a medical professional before returning to sports.

The Emergency Department at Adventist Health Clear Lake has BrainScope, an FDA-cleared medical technology that supports immediate assessment and evaluation of a potential concussion. BrainScope records brain electrical activity, much like the EKG records heart signals from the chest. The technology uses the recorded data as inputs to AI derived algorithms to assess the likelihood and severity of a concussion, helping providers manage the injury appropriately and facilitate recovery.