About Concussions

Research has identified that educating patients about concussions may promote recovery and help to reduce symptom burden. Below are a diverse group of resources on all aspects of concussions and related issues.

Contents

About Concussions

Symptoms

Social Factors, Stigma, Neurodegeneration

About Concussions

What Happens to Your Brain When You Get a Concussion?

The science and research behind concussions are complicated and evolving. We reveal some of the latest knowledge in a way you can understand.

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What Happens to Your Brain: A Deeper Dive

A more in-depth explanation of what happens to your brain when you get a concussion.

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Diagnostics

Information about how a concussion is diagnosed, including when a CT is used, and new concussion diagnostic tools being developed.

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Other Resources

Additional concussion resources including organizations, blogs, podcasts, and books.

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Personal Stories

Personal stories about having a concussion, including an award-winning radio piece about a high school student with persistent post-concussion symptoms.

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Symptoms

Prolonged Symptoms

Concussion “symptoms that persist beyond expected time frames” require multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Formerly known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

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Headaches

A post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a recurring headache attributed to a concussion or traumatic injury to the brain. We discuss the subtypes of PTH and potential treatments.

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Headaches: Advanced Page

We provide detailed information about various headache treatments and the pathophysiology of different subtypes of post-traumatic headaches like migraines and tension headaches.

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Sleep & Sleep Problems

Sleep plays an essential role in concussion recovery. Concussions can result in sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, and hypersomnia.

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Cognitive Dysfunction

Cognition refers to comprehension, reading, thinking, planning, remembering, and organizing. Concussions are one of the most common causes of cognitive dysfunction.

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Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Dysfunction

ANS dysfunction can play a role in persistent post-concussion symptoms. Some therapy options for ANS dysfunction are vestibular rehabilitation therapy, biofeedback therapy, and graduated exercise therapy.

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Mental Health

A concussion can often result in a greater mental and emotional burden. These emotional and psychological symptoms can have a large impact on concussion patients’ quality of life following a concussion.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can happen after traumatic experiences or concussions. This page covers the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.

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Social Factors, Stigma, Neurodegeneration

The Invisible Injury

Concussions are often referred to as “an invisible injury.” We explore how the invisibility of concussions and persistent symptoms can adversely affect the recovery process.

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Care Disparities

When tackling treatment for concussion, it is imperative to aid individuals who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of current care disparities in health care. 

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History of Concussion as a Public Health Issue

This page provides a historical perspective on social and political factors that have provided challenges to concussion patients.

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Neurodegenerative Disease

Researchers continue to examine links between brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Long-Covid

Long-Covid has many similarities to concussions and persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPSC). Both long-Covid and concussions involve brain fog, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and more.

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