How Do I Treat a Concussion?

Each year in the UK, over 1 million people attend A&E with a suspected concussion. Despite being a common injury, it is often misunderstood. So what is it, how do you recognise it and how do you treat a concussion?

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a temporary brain injury caused by a knock, blow or sudden movement that makes the brain move rapidly back and forth in the skull. 

Although most concussions are not life-threatening and people usually make a full recovery with rest and monitoring, a concussion should always be taken seriously. 

For first aiders, concussion is a concern because symptoms can worsen and lead to unconsciousness, or in rare cases, serious complications.

If a concussion is suspected, professional medical advice should always be sought.

What causes a concussion?

A concussion commonly occurs after a;

• fall 
• road traffic collision
• physical assault 
• sports injury

A concussion can also happen without a direct blow to the head, for example, as a result of rapid acceleration or deceleration in a car crash.

What are the symptoms of concussion?

On our First Aid at Work courses, we always make first aiders aware that it’s very important to remember that the onset of symptoms can be delayed by hours or even days after the injury.

Symptoms to look out for include;

• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or short-term memory loss
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Blurred or distorted vision, such as seeing stars
• Extreme tiredness
• Headache
• Acting out of character; e.g. laughing or crying at inappropriate times. Graham, our lead first first aid training instructor advises, ‘think drunk’. 

First Aid treatment for concussion

If the casualty is unresponsive:

• Call 999 immediately
• Place them into the recovery position
• Monitor their breathing and level of response until help arrives
• Be prepared to start CPR

If the casualty is conscious and responsive:

• Treat and dress any open wounds
• Apply a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth to any swelling on the head
• Continue to monitor their condition closely

If a concussion is suspected during sport or physical activity, the casualty must not return to play until cleared to do so by a medical professional.

In all cases of suspected concussion, the first aider should advise assessment by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Common misconceptions around a concussion

1. You don’t need to lose consciousness to have it – this only occurs in around 10% of cases.
2. Feeling “fine” does not mean it is safe to continue physical activity or to play sport.
3. No two concussions are ever the same and symptoms do not follow a set pattern.
4. A concussion can occur without a direct impact to the head.

Learn First Aid with Help First Aid Training

As a local first aid training provider in County Durham, Help First Aid Training regularly teaches people how to recognise and respond to head injuries in the workplace, and in everyday life.

At Help First Aid Training, we provide high-quality, practical first aid training in County Durham and across the North-East, including:

·       First Aid at Work

·       Re-qualification First Aid at Work

·       Emergency First Aid at Work

·       Paediatric First Aid

Regular open courses are delivered from our training facility in Shildon Business Centre in County Durham and we offer onsite first aid training across the North-East. 

From Barnard Castle to Bishop Auckland, Richmond to Redcar, Catterick to Chester le Street and beyond we offer training to businesses, schools, colleges, nurseries, trusts, charitable organisations and individuals, providing H.S.E. (Health and Safety Executive) compliant training for all.

Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Website: www.helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk

Email: info@helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk 

Call us: 01388 417303

 Statistic references; 

www.headway.org.uk

www.nhsinform.scot