What to expect from a concussion

Did you know that concussions are one of the most common and serious injuries in Australia? Whether you’re playing sports or just living your life, you could get a head knock that could affect your brain and future. Read on to learn about recognising and treating concussions and how Flip can support your recovery from accidental head injuries.

What is concussion?

A concussion is a type of brain injury that happens when your head gets a sudden bump. 

It can affect your brain function for a short time or sometimes longer. You might feel dizzy and confused or have a headache, nausea or blurred vision. You might not even remember what happened. Here are some of the ways concussion can affect you:

Concussions can happen in many ways, like playing sports, falling or having an accident. They can happen to anyone, no matter how old or young, or how good or bad you are at what you’re doing. 

Will’s concussion: a wake-up call for young athletes (and their parents)

In the opening minutes of the 2023 U14 grand final, fourteen-year-old Will copped a head knock. It went unnoticed, and Will didn't mention it despite feeling dizzy and having blurred vision. Not wanting to let his team down, he went on to kick three goals and was his team’s best player. 

By the time they were lined up to receive their runners-up medals, Will was vomiting and was taken to hospital for observation and tests.

He was released later that night with instructions to stay off screens for a day (wait, whaaaat!), school for two days (yay!) and sport for a week (boo!). 

Will’s mum Ambrie reflects on the incident. ‘Looking back at the photos, he looks so pale, but amongst all the excitement, nobody had any idea he’d been injured. It’s so important to educate young athletes about concussion risks so they treat it seriously, even in a grand final.’

Will’s story is all too common. Despite not reporting his injury and playing on, Will recovered well. Others aren’t so lucky, suffering from long-term effects, such as headaches, memory loss, mood swings and learning difficulties.

How common is concussion in Australia?

Concussions can happen in any sport, not just contact sports, and not just at elite level. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) says that in 2020–21, there were almost 3,100 hospitalisations for concussions caused by sports:

• 2,200 males hospitalised for concussion compared with 900 females
• 1,300 concussions occurred while playing some form of football
• About 500 concussions occurred while cycling

_{SOURCE: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare}

These figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with many people not realising they have concussion or choosing not to seek medical attention in relation to its symptoms. 

That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the risks and symptoms of concussion and to take care of yourself if you get one.

Concussion guidelines

The AIS partnered with Sports Medicine Australia, doctors and physiotherapists to develop comprehensive concussion guidelines for athletes, parents, teachers, coaches, doctors and physiotherapists. 

‘These guidelines bring together the latest published information about concussion in sport,’ says Dr Hughes. ‘How to recognise concussion, how to diagnose concussion, how to manage concussion, and ensure that no one returns to field of play before they’re ready to do so.’
_{SOURCE: Australian Sports Commission}

How to recognise and treat concussion

Concussions are not always obvious, and they can be serious. They can affect your health, mood and ability to do things you love. They can also increase your risk of getting another concussion or having long-term problems with your brain. It’s important you know what to do if you or someone you’re with gets a concussion.

The signs and symptoms can be subtle and not specific to concussion. They can also be difficult to detect. The guidelines recommend that onlookers should lean towards suspecting concussion, even with light knocks.

Signs and symptoms of concussion

^SOURCE

How to assess for concussion

The AIS guidelines recommend using the Concussion Recognition Tool 6 to assess for concussion. It’s a two-page document designed to be used by non-medically trained people to identify and manage suspected concussion. Medical assessment is recommended for any athlete with suspected concussion before they return to any activity, even if symptoms resolve.

If in doubt, sit them out

If there’s any doubt about whether an athlete is concussed, they shouldn’t be allowed to return to sport until cleared by a medical practitioner.

Concussion treatment

The main treatment for a concussion is rest, followed by a gradual return to activity. The AIS has established the Graded Return to Sport Framework which recognises the increased risk of complications from concussion if a player returns to sport before they are fully recovered. Read the framework for detailed advice, but here is a quick overview:

• An initial rest period of 24-48 hours followed by a gradual return to school or work, and a gradual return to light exercise.
• Several checkpoints before progressing to increased activity levels.
• At least 14 days being symptom-free before returning to contact training.
• A minimum of 21 days before returning to contact sport.

HCF’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Andrew Cottrill, shares some sage advice on managing concussions.

‘One of the most important things to remember is that every concussion is different, and every person recovers differently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to concussion treatment and recovery. You need to listen to your body and follow the guidance of your health professionals. They will help you find the right balance between rest and activity and support you throughout your recovery.’

How Flip helped Nathan after his concussion

Nathan went snowboarding in New Zealand and copped a concussion after a nasty head knock which resulted in an on-mountain emergency department visit. It was his first time snowboarding, so he got Flip accidental injury insurance for peace of mind. He was glad he did, declaring, ‘It did exactly what it was supposed to do.’ 

Nathan used his payout from Flip to cover his on-mountain medical checks. Check out the full article to learn about Nathan’s accident, recovery and his insight into what it’s like to have Flip.