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Resuming sports too soon increases the risk of another brain injury. In many cases, athletes at the high school level and beyond—and sometimes even younger—have what’s known as a baseline concussion test performed at the beginning of a new sports season. A baseline test establishes what’s normal for an individual athlete. Afterward, when a concussion is suspected, an athlete’s concussion test results can be compared with his or her baseline test. A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury, or what’s commonly known as a TBI.
In the systematic review, the test detected 96 out of 122 concussions, as well as correctly identified concussions 86 percent of the time. In the meta-analysis, athletes who suffered a concussion were, on average, 4.8 seconds slower reading the numbers compared with their original score. Avoid taking other pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen if you suspect you've had a concussion. Being ready to answer your doctor's questions may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions that come up during your appointment.
Free Online Concussion Test
You may have to go to the emergency room to receive treatment. Your doctor may order an MRI, CT scan, or other neuroimaging scans to confirm whether you have sustained more serious brain damage. Concussion testing is a useful tool for helping your healthcare provider diagnose a concussion.
Concussion tests may be useful for determining any next steps. For example, a loved one who exhibits confusion and difficulty walking after a fall may need further evaluation from a doctor. Concussion tests are primarily used for determining whether an individual’s symptoms after an injury have affected the brain. If you continue to play or return to play too early after a concussion, there is a significant risk of another concussion. A second concussion sustained while the initial concussion is healing can result in fatal brain swelling . This test collects information about the event, concussion signs and symptoms and includes a version of the SAC test information.
Beyond Baseline Concussion Tests
Pupils that don’t react at all to the light may mean a severe increase in ICP or severe brain damage. Occasionally, the results of a baseline test will return to us as being potentially “invalid”. If this occurs with your baseline test, we will send you a letter with recommendations on how to proceed.
The tests are done by a doctor or other health care professional with expertise in evaluating and treating people with concussions. They measure physical skills such as balance, and mental skills such as memory, concentration, how quickly you can think and solve problems, and your ability to pay attention. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can cause significant effects, so it is wise to be cautious when dealing with a head injury. If any concussion symptoms occur after a hit to the head, it’s important to seek medical attention. All head injuries should be checked by a medical professional. Your loved one’s healthcare provider will want to conduct their own tests — possibly including brain imaging studies — before making a diagnosis.
If your child plays school sports and had a head injury
Dr. Jaycie Loewen is a Clinical Neuroscientist who received her Doctorate of Neuroscience at the University of Utah. Her background includes the study of basic and clinical brain injury, including the publication of research regarding mechanisms of epilepsy pathophysiology. Her work has elucidated the role of glial and neuronal cell profiles in viral-induced brain injury and acute seizures. Through these degrees, she obtained experience with patient care and education as well as an understanding of the necessity of respecting patient experience and symptoms. She also provides literature analysis and aids in the publication of Cognitive FX’s research.
However, complete rest, such as lying in a dark room and avoiding all stimuli, does not help recovery and is not recommended. Although many concussions resolve quickly, some athletes may experience symptoms for weeks, months or longer. Concussion testing is one of the tools doctors may use to evaluate and manage your health after a head injury. People who are at risk of concussion may need baseline tests.
If you have a child or teen active in sports, you may wonder how to tell if he or she has a concussion. It’s not just athletes who get concussions, saysChristine Greiss, D.O., director of theConcussion ProgramatJFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls and automobile accidents are common causes of concussions.
If the concussion test plus any other findings show you've had a concussion, your healthcare provider will discuss a recovery plan. For example, you might be with your parent when they fall and bump their head or with your child when they fall off their bike and hit their head. Collecting information immediately after a fall will not only be helpful when you first see your provider, but also while you’re caring for your loved one after they return home from their examination.
Concussion tests check for things like alertness, memory, focus, how fast you think and your ability to solve problems. Concussion tests are one of the tools used to diagnose a concussion. Computerized baseline concussion testing offers a fast, efficient way for many athletes to test their baseline brain function.
While checklists are a starting point for evaluating the symptoms of a possible concussion, it’s best to see your doctor if you suspect you or a loved one has had a concussion. Children, teens and female athletes may be at a higher risk of concussions than are others, and their recovery may be longer. After a concussion, testing may be repeated and compared to the previous test to look for any changes in your brain function. It can also be used as a guide to determine when the brain has recovered from a concussion.
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