Concussions: For most Canadians, this medical condition is familiar because it is so frequently mentioned in the news, TV shows, and online horror stories. Yet, the problem is that not enough people genuinely know about them.
You might be thinking that you’ll never need to know about concussions beyond just hearing about them. However, the truth is that such a condition can affect anyone and pose quite a lot of danger if not handled properly, meaning that knowing more about this can save your life.
Now, when it comes to getting as much information as possible about concussions, there are various bases that you’ll need to cover. From first-aid treatments to appropriate responses and symptoms, the amount of knowledge concerning the topic in question is fairly large.
Although each critical piece of information bears a level of significance, one of the most vital ones to get a hold of in terms of knowledge is the set of misconceptions.
Various Misconceptions of Concussions That You Should Be Aware Of
Whether it’s from inexperienced patients or messaging groups full of elderly social media natives that share anything, misconceptions about concussions come from all places. However, there are some myths that can’t be discerned by common sense alone because they come off as factual pieces of information, causing a host of problems for those needing actual help.
If you want to avoid falling for misconceptions about concussions that can put your life or that of a loved one at risk, here’s a guide to the most common ones that we’ll debunk one by one:
Misconception #1: Concussions Are a “Bruise” of the Brain
Unfortunately, this is one of the very few things that Google still gets wrong in its search results.
While older trains of thought do suggest that the problem in question can be equated to a bruise on the brain after it hits the inner wall of the skull, these are beliefs that shed little light on the severity of the condition. In fact, a brain bruise is a completely different effect or condition from a concussion, which is why it is separately called a contusion.
Misconception #2: Concussions Take Place in the Dark Matter of the Brain
Contrary to the “bruising” idea that most people believe in, the root of a concussion comes from the white matter — the brain’s deeper, internal part.
Scientifically, the specific parts of the brain’s white matter that get affected by a concussion are the axons of the brain. This results in a quick stretching of the axons after a sudden acceleration takes place in the head and creates fluid waves.
Misconception #3: Concussions Can Be Identified or Spotted Through Medical Scans
As much as we’d all like to believe that medical scans provide security and accuracy for diagnosing problems in the brain, the same idea doesn’t apply to concussions.
Whether it’s a CT scan or MRI, it is impossible to spot a concussion through any form of imaging since such technology can only go as far as inspecting the structure of the brain. Considering that concussions are functional injuries that do not create any physical effects on the brain’s structure, an accurate diagnosis can only be made with a consultation.
Conclusion
As seemingly-simple as they may be, concussions are a rather complex condition that must be known in full detail and handled properly because it can affect anyone and grow severe over time. With the help of this guide, you can steer clear of any myths that can put your life or those of others at risk while getting proper help along the way!
Centre Street Physiotherapy is a sports physiotherapy clinic in Calgary that serves all athletes for their recovery-related needs, from hobbyists to professionals. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment with any one of our sports physiotherapy specialists so that you can get your physique back to perfect shape with expert care!
