The interactive infographic below is focussed on US sports, but still provides some invaluable information about concussions.
Some important notes to take away include the following:
- The majority of concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness. Stop playing even if you don’t lose consciousness;
- A player does not need to hit his or her head to get a concussion. An intense blow to another part of the body, causing the head to jerk rapidly, can also cause a concussion;
- A player suspected of having a concussion should not return to play until all post-concussion symptoms are gone. Experiencing a second concussion before the first has fully healed can lead to permanent brain damage and even death; and
- Concussions may cause more prolonged damage in children than adults. Children should be monitored for concussion symptoms for more than 24 hours.