Get Started On... Understanding Concussion

Concussion is tricky to diagnose but should never be ignored; EWS’s new pocketbook is a great way to educate yourself

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Concussion. It’s the elephant in the room when it comes to mountain biking. We’ve all got used to taking a tumble every now and then, enduring scrapes, broken bones and peals of mocking laughter from our so-called-friends. We’re not so used to talking about concussion, though. Until relatively recently, this type of brain injury was cloaked in mystery, while most of us who suffered a blow to the head would think nothing of riding again the next day.

Now though, with more research detailing the damaging effects of concussion, we all need to get better at spotting it and taking the right action.

WHAT IS CONCUSSION?

The brain is very complex and every brain injury is different; as such, confusion over definitions and terminology still exists even today.

In 2017, the Concussion in Sport Group Consensus Statement released a unified definition, describing it as a “traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces”. It can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body and doesn’t have to involve a loss of consciousness. Some symptoms may appear right away, while others may not show up for days or weeks after the concussion.

Sometimes, the injury makes it hard for people to recognise, so diagnosis isn’t simple, with symptoms varying from person to person. And because all brain injuries are different, so is concussion recovery. Most people with mild injuries recover fully, but it can take time. Some symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they do.