A concussion is an injury to the brain that can result in a bad headache, altered level of alertness meaning the person is drowsy or hard to arouse, loss of memory and even unconsciousness. Concussions occur in individuals who have taken a serious blow to the head. Most people who suffer from a concussion, without additional complications, will recover. Sufferers can have prolonged symptoms including dizziness, continuous headaches, irritability and more.

Concussions can happen anytime someone suffers a blow to the head resulting in a head injury. There are well over a million concussion cases a year in the United States occurring as a result of falls, car accidents and most often as a sports injury. Some are severe and others more mild. Common signs that a concussion is serious include seizures or seizure like activity, weakness on one side of the body or the other, unconsciousness or varying levels of a conscious state. If these systems are present medical treatment should be sought immediately.

A new test devised by scientists at the University of Michigan, will make it easier to screen for concussions after a head injury. The test looks at reaction time to see if the injured person has a sluggish reflex. A weighted cylinder is dropped and if the injured is unable to catch it, they have most likely suffered a concussion.

The study looked at 209 young athletes, both male and female, who either played football or wrestled. Before their sport season, their coach dropped the weighted cylinder and the player’s response speed was recorded. During the sports season, these athletes were monitored and when one of them suffered from a concussion, the test was repeated, a few days after the injury. An average of 15% longer reaction time was recorded in seven athletes with head injuries.

Dr. James Eckner, the developer of the simple test said that with the test being so simple coupled with its low cost, it could work well with young athletes when access is limited to other testing methods. Others caution that while the test showed some interesting results that more research will need to be done. The test should certainly not replace a trip to the hospital that is always recommended when any signs of a concussion are present.

Athletes and others should always take precautionary steps to help prevent concussions. Wearing appropriate safety gear while playing sports is essential. Buckling up when you are in a moving vehicle is also vital.