Brain Archives - Illawarra Medical Centre https://illawarramedical.com.au/category/brain/ Providing superior health care to families and local businesses in the Ballajura area for more than 25 years Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:26:33 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Use your head when it comes to concussion https://illawarramedical.com.au/use-your-head-when-it-comes-to-concussion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=use-your-head-when-it-comes-to-concussion Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:25:27 +0000 https://illawarramedical.com.au/?p=8728 Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is shaken or jolted inside the skull. It is estimated that more than 180,000 concussions are experienced in Australia each year and around 30 percent of those with concussion will go on to experience ongoing, debilitating symptoms that affect their health, lifestyle, and […]

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Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is shaken or jolted inside the skull.

It is estimated that more than 180,000 concussions are experienced in Australia each year and around 30 percent of those with concussion will go on to experience ongoing, debilitating symptoms that affect their health, lifestyle, and work.

In the past, concussion was seen as a relatively harmless, short-term injury. However, with growing understanding and awareness about its short and long-term impacts, we are now seeing improved recognition and management of the condition.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and management of concussion.

What is concussion?

A concussion is a short-term brain injury resulting from a force to the head, neck or body that causes the brain to move within the skull and results in chemical changes and damage to brain cells.

It can be caused by:

  • Falls – particularly common in older adults and young children.
  • Sports-related injuries – common in contact sports, such as Australia Rules Football (AFL), boxing, rugby, soccer, and touch football; as well as cycling, wheeled motor sports, and equestrian.
  • Transport accidents – from head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window etc.
  • Violence and assault – including domestic violence.
  • Blast injury or other occupational hazards

According to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the majority of concussion presentations to hospitals were a result of a fall (51%), followed by transport accidents (24%), and assault (11%), with one in five (or 22%) of all hospitalised concussion cases having occurred while participating in sport or physical activity.

Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database - Number of concussion hospitalisations, by cause and sex, Australia, 2021–22

What is concussion?

A concussion is a short-term brain injury resulting from a force to the head, neck or body that causes the brain to move within the skull and results in chemical changes and damage to brain cells.

It can be caused by:

  • Falls – particularly common in older adults and young children.
  • Sports-related injuries – common in contact sports, such as Australia Rules Football (AFL), boxing, rugby, soccer, and touch football; as well as cycling, wheeled motor sports, and equestrian.
  • Transport accidents – from head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window etc.
  • Violence and assault – including domestic violence.
  • Blast injury or other occupational hazards

According to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the majority of concussion presentations to hospitals were a result of a fall (51%), followed by transport accidents (24%), and assault (11%), with one in five (or 22%) of all hospitalised concussion cases having occurred while participating in sport or physical activity.

Signs and Symptoms

In the past, concussion was seen as a relatively harmless, short-term injury that was associated with fast recovery, under-reporting and a lack of understanding about potential long-term impacts.

In fact, in previous generations, it was often thought that if you weren’t knocked out cold, then you weren’t concussed! However, we now know that concussion can occur without a complete loss of consciousness and symptoms can vary greatly.

Some symptoms may show up immediately, while others may present in the days, weeks, or even months following a knock to the body or head.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Headache or pressure in the head
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Confusion or memory problems
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
  • Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression

The Australian CTE Biobank and Macquarie University, in partnership with Sydney FC, have developed this useful ‘Big 5’ initiative to help those involved with sport better identify concussion following a head knock during games.

 It encourages people to look out for:

  1. Slump – lying motionless, unconscious or knocked out.
  2. Sway – appearing wobbly, unsteady or falling over.
  3. Slow – walking slowly, wandering or delayed movements.
  4. Stun – confused, appearing stunned or behaving unusually.
  5. Slur – slurred speech, slow speech, or responding poorly.

Some concussion symptoms can indicate a more severe and life-threatening brain injury, so it’s important to seek emergency care if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Neck pain or tenderness
  • Seizure or convulsion
  • Double vision
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Weakness or burning/tingling in more than one arm or in the legs
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Vomiting
  • Severe or increasing headache
  • Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
  • Visible deformity of the skull

While most people will recover fully within a couple of weeks, children can take a little longer to recover from a concussion and there may be some people who experience ongoing symptoms for weeks or months after the initial injury.

Long-term impacts of concussion

With a better understanding and more research into concussion these days, there is also growing evidence to suggest that repeated impacts to the head, neck or body can result in a number of debilitating long-term conditions

This includes:

  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – a degenerative brain disease that affects thinking, mood and behaviour, and interferes with day-to-day life.
  • Cognitive impairment – causing problems with memory, attention, and executive function.
  • Mood disorders – including depression and anxiety.

These can result in people who have had repeated head impacts, even without concussion.

In recent years, we’ve also seen a number of high-profile sports people having to retire early from their professional careers as a result of ongoing issues from repeated concussion, including Australian cricketer, Will Pucovski; AFL players Nathan Murphy and Angus Brayshaw; and NRL players Dale Finucane, Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Andrew Davey.

Prevention

While head injuries can’t always be prevented, there are ways to reduce your risk, including:

  • Wear a seat belt whenever you’re travelling in a car.
  • Secure your children in age-appropriate safety seats – check with your State Government for more information.
  • Reduce the risk of falls – avoid standing on unstable surfaces, remove or secure small area rugs, improve lighting, and install handrails.
  • Follow the rules of your sport – many sports have banned certain tackles or developed techniques and rules to reduce head injuries at all levels of play.
  • Take time to recover from injuries – don’t return to work or school too quickly, or rush back to playing sports before you are fully recovered.
  • Exercise regularly – to strengthen your leg and core muscles to improve your balance.

Treatment

While treatment and management of concussion will depend on its severity, it is important for anyone with concussion to rest for the first 24-48 hours, in order to give your brain a chance to heal.

It is also suggested that you:

  • Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery
  • Don’t drink alcohol
  • Limit screen time
  • Take time off work or school
  • Continue to do gentle exercise, such as walking
  • Get assessed by a doctor, to ensure there is no bleeding, fluid or pressure on the brain, or any spinal injury.

Even if you are feeling fine and normal after a concussion, you will need to avoid participating in sports and rigorous activities for a few weeks and should only return to these after you’ve been given the ok by your doctor.

Returning to activities too soon can put you at risk of additional injuries that exacerbate any existing inflammation and lead to a longer recovery and ongoing long-term impacts.

If you have any concerns or show any signs and symptoms of concussion, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. Bookings at Illawarra Medical Centre can be made online (insert link) or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

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]]> Think FAST when it comes to stroke https://illawarramedical.com.au/think-fast-when-it-comes-to-stroke/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=think-fast-when-it-comes-to-stroke Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:59:41 +0000 https://illawarramedical.com.au/?p=7638 As we head towards Brain Awareness Week next month, we thought we’d take a closer look at one of the most common brain diseases – stroke. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia and a leading cause of disability. It affects around 55,000 Australian’s annually. The good news, however, is that […]

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As we head towards Brain Awareness Week next month, we thought we’d take a closer look at one of the most common brain diseases – stroke.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia and a leading cause of disability. It affects around 55,000 Australian’s annually. The good news, however, is that 80% of strokes can be prevented.

What is stroke?

A stroke is what happens when the blood flow to your brain is stopped or disrupted. It is an emergency situation and can happen to anyone at any time.

In order to work effectively, your brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which come from the blood that flows to it. If the supply of blood or oxygen is stopped for any period of time, even just a short while, your brain cells will begin to die and may suffer permanent damage.

There are two kinds of stroke:

  1. Ischemic – the most common type. It occurs when a major blood vessel in the brain is blocked, either by a blood clot or a build up of fatty deposit and cholesterol, called plaque. There are two types of ischaemic strokes:
  • Thrombotic – from a clot or blockage in a blood vessel in your brain.
  • Embolic – from a clot that forms elsewhere in your body that then travels to block a blood vessel that supplies your brain.
  1. Haemorrhagic – occurs when the wall of a blood vessel in your brain suddenly breaks and causes a bleed in your brain. This type can also be caused by a cerebral aneurysm bursting as a result of sudden pressure or trauma. There are two types of haemorrhagic strokes:
  • Intracerebral – when an artery in your brain bursts and bleeds.
  • Subarachnoid – when a bleed occurs in the space surrounding your brain.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a stroke include weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg and usually on one side of the body, as well as difficulty with speaking or understanding others.

Other symptoms that may occur include:

  • Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
  • Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
  • Headache, usually severe and sudden
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Sudden nausea or vomiting

The F.A.S.T test, as recommended by the Stroke Foundation, is an easy way to spot the signs of stroke:

  • Face drooping – one side of the face is drooping or numb or their smile appears uneven.
  • Arm weakness – one arm is weak or numb and when both arms are lifted at the same time, one arm may drift downward.
  • Speech difficulty – there may be slurred speech or difficulty with speaking and the person may be unable to repeat a simple sentence correctly.
  • Time – is critical. Phone 000 for an ambulance straight away if you notice any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms improve or go away.

 

As seen is this video, symptoms can happen suddenly and may vary with each person, so it is important to act fast.

Some symptoms can disappear quickly, which may indicate a transient ischaemic attach (TIA) or a mini-stroke, which is a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur.

A stroke is a medical emergency that can lead to death or disability, so it is important to act straight away. If you notice any signs of stroke, call 000 and request an ambulance for urgent assistance.

A stroke can result in long-term complications, including:

  • Weakness or paralysis of limbs
  • Difficulty speaking or swallowing
  • Difficulty reading or writing
  • Shoulder pain
  • Fatigue
  • Sensory changes – things feeling different when you touch them
  • Perceptual changes – changes to how you see or understand things
  • Difficulty thinking or remembering
  • Incontinence
  • Problems controlling feelings and emotions
  • Depression

How is it treated?

In the first instance, you will need to undertake a number of tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of stroke, as well as any areas of the brain that may have been affected.

Your treatment will depend on what caused your stroke and may involve certain medications, surgery and rehabilitation.

Prevention

The best way to prevent your risk of stroke is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and that includes:

  • Staying active – by including 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
  • Eating well – by eating a variety of foods that are high in fibre, fruit, nuts, vegetables and healthy fats but low in saturated fat and salt.
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight.
  • Drinking alcohol in moderation – limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 standard drinks per day if you are male and 1 standard drink per day if you are female.
  • Quitting smoking.
  • Working with your doctor to treat any medical conditions that increase your risk of stroke, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

 

If you have any concerns about your risk of stroke or general health, make an appointment with your GP. Appointments at Illawarra Medical Centre can be made online or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

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