How to prevent and treat concussions

Sports-related concussions often receive attention, but most concussions happen as part of daily life. Of the estimated 3 million concussions that occur annually in the United States, only one-third are caused by sports.

“By far the most common cause of concussion is falls,” says registered nurse Laurie Narigon, trauma program injury prevention coordinator for Kettering Health Network. “Falls are responsible for nearly half of all concussion-related emergency department visits. We also see injuries caused by objects striking against an individual’s head, such as when someone leans over and hits their head on something when standing back up.” Narigon says children are generally more susceptible to concussion than adults, due to their high activity levels, stilldeveloping brains, heads disproportionately larger than their bodies, and weaker neck muscles. Older adults’ high risk for falls puts them at high risk for concussion as well.

Stay safe

Most falls are preventable.

Start with home safety:

■ Keep stairs and rooms clear of clutter that may cause trips

■ Check that handrails are securely attached

■ Install night lights

■ Keep outside walkways clear of seasonal hazards, like wet leaves and snow

Concussions can be caused by car accidents, recreational activities, sports and other everyday activities. However, “many injuries can be prevented by always using recommended safety equipment that is properly sized,” says Narigon.

Awareness of your surroundings is another way to prevent concussions and other injuries. “We face so many distractions in our everyday lives, from cell phones to pets, and even just a seemingly never-ending to-do list on our minds,” Narigon says. “We can prevent a lot of injuries just by really paying attention to what is going on around us.”

Time to heal

Most people recover from a concussion within four weeks. But sometimes it takes longer to heal, particularly for children and older adults, due to the concussion’s severity, history of a previous concussion, or returning to activity too soon.

“A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, and the brain needs time to heal,” Narigon says. Sustaining another concussion before the brain has healed can cause serious injury— even death.

Adults often don’t realize they’ve had a concussion. “While loss of consciousness can occur with concussion, it isn’t as common as people think,” says Narigon. Many adults don’t think a bump to their head is serious if they didn’t get knocked out, which can lead to doing too much too soon.

If a concussion does occur, don’t ignore it. “Talk to your health care team,” Narigon urges, “and follow their advice to help you get on the road to recovery.”

Do you know where to go in case of a fall or suspected concussion? Kettering Health Network has 13 emergency centers throughout Southwest Ohio. Find the one nearest you at ketteringhealth.org/emergency