DR NICKI EXPLAINS

Episode 8 - Concussion

In this episode of Dr. Nicki Explains, GP Dr. Nicki  and her friend Sarah delve into the critical topic of head injuries and concussions. Joined by guest speaker Dylan, who shares his personal experiences with concussion from his rugby days, they explore how to recognise when you need help for a head injury and what steps to take if long-term effects occur.

• What is a Concussion?
  A brain injury caused by shaking or impact that can lead to swelling or bleeding in the brain.
• Common Symptoms:
  Dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light/noise.
• Long-term Effects:
  Memory issues, mood changes (e.g., irritability), sleep disturbances.

• Recognise Signs:
  Loss of consciousness isn't necessary; look for confusion or balance issues post-impact.
• Immediate Actions:
  Remove the person from activity immediately after recognising symptoms.
• When to Seek Help:
  Severe headache worsening over time, vomiting repeatedly post-injury.

Dylan recounts multiple concussions during his rugby career:

1. First significant knock at age six leading to hospitalisation but seemingly quick recovery.
2. Later incidents showed delayed symptoms like disorientation only hours later.
3. Major incident at university led him through months-long recovery due to not taking initial signs seriously enough.

Initial Steps Post-Injury:

1. Rest completely for first few days (48–72 hours).
2. Gradually return to normal activities while avoiding further head impacts.

Ongoing Management:

• Monitor symptoms closely; seek medical advice if conditions worsen unexpectedly.

Importance of Professional Assessment:

Even without visible damage on scans like MRI/CTs—concussions can have serious implications requiring professional evaluation especially in sports contexts where repeated knocks are common risks.

Concussions should never be underestimated as their effects might not show immediately but could develop into severe health concerns over time if ignored initially—especially important within high-risk groups such as athletes involved in contact sports like rugby or football where awareness around protocols ("recognise-remove-recover-return") becomes crucially protective against prolonged harm following traumatic events impacting one's cognitive wellbeing overall!

LINKS:

Headway - The Brain Injury Association: https://www.headway.org.uk/

Complete Concussions (website with lots of articles all things brain injury backed up by research):

https://completeconcussions.com/

Some useful articles and videos:

What is concussion? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWVwAuqO2DM

https://completeconcussions.com/concussion/pathophysiology-of-concussion/

What to do after getting concussed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXal3VPNjEo

Return to Work

https://completeconcussions.com/concussion-tips-information/returning-to-work-how-long-do-concussion-symptoms-last/

Recovery Time and Return to Sport

https://completeconcussions.com/concussion-tips-information/how-long-do-concussion-symptoms-last-sports/

PCS Causes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW2SF8hnWGg

The Neck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IMDNlAknMk

Find a Concussion Clinic:

https://clinics.completeconcussions.com/?lat=53.031540&lng=-3.281585&z=7

Cognitive FX (another useful site with PCS info):

https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog

Studies:

Diet and gut: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28526435/

Return to Work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24581906/

Concussion in Children: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26954410/    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27079963/

Screen Time: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36250231/

5-10% concussions have intracranial bleeding: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33133823/

Importance of early stage exercise: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37316185/

Buffalo Treadmill Test: https://completeconcussions.com/concussion-treatment/how-to-perform-a-buffalo-concussion-treadmill-test/

https://cdn-links.lww.com/permalink/jsm/a/jsm_2020_01_28_haider_19-313_sdc1.pdf

Vision Therapy: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/sport-medicinerehab-protocols/concussion-vision-therapy-and-oculomotor-rehab

https://chadwickoptical.com/resources/resource-articles/concussion-ophthalmic-solutions/eye-exercises-for-concussions/

https://torontoconcussion.ca/vision-exercises-videos/

Concussion Therapy at Home: https://neuraleffects.com/blog/concussion-therapy-exercises/

The podcast emphasises that it does not replace professional medical advice; if you have troubling symptoms consult your doctor immediately. 

Thank you for tuning into Doctor Nicki Explains where we make medicine understandable! Stay informed about your health and always seek proper guidance when needed! 

**Disclaimer:** This podcast may contains graphic descriptions which might not be suitable for younger audiences or those sensitive towards medical discussions. 

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