Think First! Wear a helmet! Presentation of the Ellen Hayes Award Keep summer safe! Use the Buddy System! 2009 Participants in the Walk by The Sea for Brain Injury Awareness
Home    About    Services     News   Events    Resource Directory   Newsletters
Speaker's Bureau   Youth Concussions    Bookstore   Legislation    Library
NH Veterans   Press Room    Membership & Donations    Contact   Site Map
 
 

Concussions

The Often Overlooked Traumatic Brain Injury
 
A concussion, also known as a mild brain injury (MTBI), is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to either the head or the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This may cause a change in mental status, with confusion and amnesia, and with or without a brief loss of consciousness.
 
Thank you for applying for the NH Advisory Council on Sport Concussions demonstration project grant. Sixteen schools submitted applications for the 5 awards. The selections were based on several criteria, including the number of potential athletes, geographic location, public versus private, presence and absence of specific resources (e.g., athletic training, cognitive testing). The intention was to select a diverse cohort so that we could better understand representative needs and situations in the State. The Executive Committee voted on blinded applications and was successful in identifying a diverse group.
 
The following schools were selected: John Stark, Hanover, New Hampton, Lebanon, and Dover. We thank everyone for applying. We are available to consult on issues related to concussion management in your school and can help direct you to resources. Our goal is to offer information to support "best practice" in concussion management.
 
 
Management of Sports-Related Concussions
Please join us Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 8-4:30. 7 Category 1 CME; BOC Approved Provider SERESC Conference Center, 29 Commerce Park, Bedford, NH
Non-Physicians: $75, Physicians: $100 Contact: Catrina Watson, 603-224-1909
Please click here for the tri fold.
 
  • An estimated 1.6-3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year.
  • During 2001-2005, children and youth ages 5-18 years accounted for 2.4 million sports-related emergency department (ED) visits annually, of which 6% (135,000) involved a concussion.
Concussions can have serious and long term health effects. Even a mild ding or bump on the head can be serious. Seek medical attention.
  • A concussion can be caused by direct blows to the head, gunshot wounds, violent shaking of the head, or force from a whiplash type injury.
  • Both closed and open head injuries can produce a concussion. A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury.
  • A concussion is caused when the brain receives trauma from an impact or a sudden momentum or movement change. The blood vessels in the brain may stretch and cranial nerves may be damaged.
  • A person may or may not experience a brief loss of consciousness (not exceeding 20 minutes). A person may remain conscious, but feel “dazed” or “punch drunk”.
  • A concussion may or may not show up on a diagnostic imaging test, such as a CAT Scan.
  • Skull fracture, brain bleeding, or swelling may or may not be present. Therefore, concussion is sometimes defined by exclusion and is considered a complex neurobehavioral syndrome.
  • A concussion can cause diffuse axonal type injury resulting in permanent or temporary damage.
  • A blood clot in the brain can occur occasionally and be fatal.
  • It may take a few months to a few years for a concussion to heal.
 
Signs and Symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, confusion, memory problems, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. Symptoms are typically noticed immediately following the brain injury although some may not be recognized until days or weeks later.
 
All brain injuries are as unique as the individual who has sustained one. The recovery rate will vary from person to person. Most people with mild injuries recover fully, but it can take time. Some symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer.
Please click on the following links to learn more about concussions.
 
Please click on the following links to translate this site into the language of your choice.
© 2010 - 1998 Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire
The Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire does not support, endorse, or recommend any product, method of treatment, or program for persons with brain injury. We endeavor to inform and believe that you have the right to know what help is available. Information within these pages consists of items that may be of interest to our community.