The conclusion is defined as a traumatic injury which alters the mental functioning of an individual, it also has other associated symptom, and thus need to be quickly identified and managed to reduce further complication ( Ghajar, 2016). Most people, especially in the field of sport, believed that having a concussion is all about being unconsciousness after an incident which can cause concussion; however, it is worth noting that severe injuries to the brain can occur without losing consciousness. A concussion is classified under four categories with regards to its signs and symptoms. The content of the table below is some of the apparent signs and symptoms of concussion classified as per the four categories.
| Thinking | Sleep | Mood | physical |
| Sluggishness in thinking | Dizziness | Feeling emotional | Numbness and tingling |
| Low level of concentration | oversleeping | General fatigue | headache |
| Difficulties in digesting new information and also in remembering the past information | Less sleep at some time | Irritation | Nausea/vomiting |
| Memory difficulties | Difficulties in falling asleep | Anxiety | Sensitivity to natural stimuli such as noise |
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Concussion management
Concussion in sports can occur to the adult of school going age both upper and lower level while playing in the field. The concussion management strategy outlined in this particular document cut across the age and can be used to attend to any individual who has been diagnosed with a concussion ( Terrell et al., 2014). A specific management plan is needed and needs to be keenly adhered to reduce the impact to a concussion and also to enhance quick recovery. For all casualties, the step is always to start with their immediate management. The first management step is the ABC (Airway, Breathing and consciousness). It should be noted that concussion, even if seems very negligence need not be ignored. Always, ABC is preferred as the first management and intervention to ensure that Any negative impact or complication is managed; “therefore, before moving an individual with a suspected concussion the basic first aid assessment of Airway, Breathing, Consciousness (ABCs) should be performed and a decision made to determine if the individual can be moved safely to the sideline or sent to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment” (McCrea et al., 2015).
Next, there should be a medical evaluation for any athlete or student who has been diagnosed with a concussion despite how the concussion occurred or the age. It is the medical profession who has knowledge in this field and can give a detailed report on the extent of the injury and its severity. Management should be done under the supervision of the family physician or any other medical officer who knows this field. It should be noted that as per the law which guides the concussion in sports, only the physician has the mandate to assert whether the player can return to play or not or the duration they can take before doing so.
The next management recommendation for concussion is resting. Any individual who is diagnosed with a concussion, despite the age, need to have a rest. The rationale behind resting is that “Physical activities can stimulate the heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain which can exacerbate concussion symptoms or cause them to re-occur” ( Kasamatsu, 2014). It has also been pointed out by some scholars that resting after concussion diagnosis is very critical in enhancing quick recovery. Other specialist can help with other specific symptoms in case any symptoms are severe. For instance, there are many cases where the patient suffers from mental issues and recovery becomes very challenging. Such patients need to be referred to a specialist such as a neuropsychologist. “A neuropsychologist may be suggested to address cognitive/thinking/learning issues” (Stern et al., 2017).
References
Ghajar, J. (2016). Commentary: Statements of Agreement from the Targeted Evaluation and Active Management (TEAM) Approaches to Treating Concussion Meeting Held in Pittsburgh, October 15-16, 2015. Neurosurgery , 79 (6), 930-930.
Kasamatsu, T. M. (2014). Understanding athletic trainers' concussion management and return to learn recommendations: A mixed methods study . Chapman University.
McCrea, M., Broshek, D. K., & Barth, J. T. (2015). Sports concussion assessment and management: future research directions. Brain Injury , 29 (2), 276-282.
Stern, R. A., Seichepine, D., Tschoe, C., Fritts, N. G., Alosco, M. L., Berkowitz, O., & Baugh, C. M. (2017). Concussion care practices and utilization of evidence-based guidelines in the evaluation and management of concussion: a survey of New England emergency departments. Journal of Neurotrauma , 34 (4), 861-868.
Terrell, T. R., Nobles, T., Rader, B., Bielak, K., Asif, I., Casmus, R., & Hussein, R. (2014). Sports concussion management: part I. Southern medical journal , 107 (2), 115-125.
