Weekend Report - Simple Concussion

Finally getting some down time this weekend I was able to do a bit of research about concussions. Crazy to see how advanced our medical technology is these days, but the brain is a complex system to figure out and there are discoveries and new research conclussions being made all the time. I did find out some tidbits that I thought I would share.

A handful of people have asked me if I blacked out when I hit my head. I can't remember this bit of information. What I do remember is seeing Megan's front wheel, then dragging myself off the track. I don't remember the hit, or the 15 50 20 meters I slid along the track and I don't know where my bike was. When I was on the ground thinking my hip was broken I think the pain and adrenaline kicked in overdrive and I became consciously aware of my situation. When I have crashed in the past I see everything in slow motion.

I found a great UK website called Peak Performance who had some great information on concussions more athlete focused. I found out that there are 2 types of concussions:

Simple concussion – characterised by an uneventful progressive recovery within seven to 10 days with rest being the most important component of management. Most concussions fall into this category.

Complex concussion – where recovery takes longer than seven to 10 days and/or is complicated by problems such as fits, recurrence of symptoms associated with exercise or prolonged unconsciousness.

I think it is safe to say that I have a simple concussion and mostly need rest to recovery. Yesterday I hit the town to run some errands and immediately realized that I was still off. I past the gas station twice. When I was at the nursery I could not keep focused, all of the choices of plants was too much information. Then when I went shopping I was a bit sick to my stomach. 3 different people took one look at me and asked if I had any questions. I think my blank and confused look must have been the indicator. When I got home I was drained and needed to sit down and assess my energy levels

I'm in day 7 of recovery and am enjoying the down time from physical training but I am thinking about the gym, yoga and mountain biking. If you come back stronger after a rest week, maybe after this recovery I'll return smarter, stronger, fast, more quick witted and able to remember peoples names on the first introduction.

Tomorrow I'll write about returning to sport too soon the be dangerous and giving athletes a preseason Neuropsychological tests in high risk sports.

PS. I felt this photo fitting because my brain feel slow and slimy a bit like a banana slug!