A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Concussions are not a visible injury and signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If you or your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Symptoms of concussion usually fall into four categories:

From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Concussions do not only occur on the playing field or court.  Concussions can occur on the playground, in the classroom, or in a PE class. 

Often traditional methods of determining head injury are not necessarily present.  Classic symptoms of a concussion are pupils that are uneven or do not dilate or constrict correctly or throwing up.  However, a severe headache or nausea without throwing up may be just as serious of symptoms.

Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.

Researchers find youth athletes are more likely to sustain concussions -- and to take longer to recover from concussions -- than adults.  A second concussion occurring before a child's brain recovers from the first increases the chances of long-term neurologic affects.

Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. TBI occurs when a sudden trauma damages the brain. TBI can also be called a brain injury or an acquired head injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury is caused when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, when the head is powerfully jolted or shaken, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.

A concussion is considered to be much milder.  It is classified as a trauma induced alteration of mental status that may or may not involve loss of consciousness.  An individual will recover fully in a relatively short period of time.

How is it Diagnosed?
MRI and CAT scans can pinpoint damage, but diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury usually relies on observation and the presence of symptoms. Symptoms can easily be overlooked, especially if there is other trauma to the body, and the diagnosis of TBI can be missed. Cognitive skills testing can help detect TBI and is usually administered several days after the trauma.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury can be mild, moderate, or severe, and are not always immediate. They include:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Confusion
• Poor memory or memory loss
• Poor concentration and lack of focus
• Inability to perform sequential tasks
• Difficulty organizing thought and activities
• Poor problem-solving, decision-making and planning skills
• Poor reading comprehension
• Taking a long time to complete tasks
• Blurred vision or tired eyes
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Loss of consciousness
• Convulsions or seizures
• Numbness or poor coordination in limbs
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Agitation or restlessness
• Change in sleep patterns
• Mood swings and behavior changes

Initial treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient to prevent further injury, along with testing, observation and mental and physical rest. Long-term rehabilitation can include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech or Language Therapy
• Social therapy
• Vision Therapy
• Psychiatric or psychological counseling
• Cognitive skills testing and training

At Knowledge Tree, LLC, our proven programs focus on cognitive skills training, or "brain training." The program we offer has been used with children, adults and seniors suffering from TBI (as well as many other learning problems), showing significant results!

HOW IT WORKS: We start with a cognitive skills test that precisely identifies which cognitive skills areas require strengthening. You're then paired with a Knowledge Tree, LLC trainer who will meet with you one-on-one and guide you through targeted and focused exercises, timed drills, and other procedures that will quickly build those weak areas. This program actually changes the brain by creating new neural pathways (connections between brain cells).

The Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services helps Oklahomans with disabilities prepare for work, and find or keep jobs.