Concussion can have both a direct and indirect effect on learning, often making efficient processing difficult.
Some Common Symptoms of a Concussion:
- Physical: Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Double Vision, Sensitivity to light and noise
- Cognitive: Difficulty remembering, Difficulty concentrating and focusing, and Feeling mentally foggy
- Emotional: Irritable, Sad, Nervous, Emotional more than usual
- Sleep: Trouble falling asleep, Sleeping more than usual, Sleeping less than usual
Today, there is gaining evidence that using a concussed brain to learn can make concussion symptoms worse and possibly prolong the recovery.
The Recovery Goal:
- to return to pre-injury cognitive functioning
- to return to pre-injury balance functioning
- absence of symptoms when at rest
- absence of symptoms when participating in physical or cognitive activity
Recovery can take several days, several weeks, or several months. To promote a speedy recovery it may require both physical and mental rest.
Physicians May Recommend:
- absence from school or half-days – decreasing brain activity decreases symptoms and increases the healing process
- avoid computer use, texting, video games, television, loud music
- do not participate in physical activities until cleared by a physician
For more information go to www.cdc.gov/concussion