If you know someone who has recently sustained a concussion, there are some complications of this issue to watch out for. One issue that a person who has sustained a concussion can have is second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome is an issue where a person sustains a second concussion before the first one properly heals. You can learn more about this issue and how to protect your concussed loved one with the information on this page.
What is Second Impact Syndrome?
As I mentioned above, second impact syndrome is something that people face when they sustain a second concussion before their first one has a chance to heal. While this is a fairly rare condition, it is also a serious one. Second impact syndrome can cause severe swelling and pressure in a person’s brain that can have very serious consequences.
If a person gets a second concussion after an initial one, their brain can’t autoregulate cerebral perfusion and intracranial pressure. This could lead to issues such as brain herniation and cerebral edema. In addition, a person could lose consciousness and experience complications such as acute metabolic changes, ionic fluxes, cerebral blood flow alterations, and more. Even if the second concussion is minor, these issues and complications will increase a person’s risk of death.
How to Avoid Second Impact Syndrome
Avoiding a second concussion after one is important in order to prevent a loved one from getting second impact syndrome. You should especially watch out if your loved one is an athlete. Returning to their sport too soon can expose your loved one to further trauma, so make sure that they are fully healed before they return to the field. Keep an eye on your loved one and make sure that they don’t have concussion symptoms anymore before they return to any potentially dangerous or damaging activities. Concussion symptoms to watch out for are:
- Sleeping issues
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Disorientation
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Slurring speech
- Losing consciousness
- Behavioral changes
- Irritability
- Ringing in ears
If you are not sure if your loved one should return to their sport or other potentially dangerous activity, make sure that they hold off until they do not exhibit any concussion signs. It is better to be over cautious than to face the potential of second impact syndrome.
Recognizing Second Impact Syndrome
If you do think that your loved one has suffered second impact syndrome, it is important to get them to a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection can help to limit the damage. Watch out for signs such as:
- Respiratory failure
- Dilated pupils
- Unconsciousness
- Loss of eye movement
Second impact syndrome can be fatal, and death can happen very quickly. This is why it is important to get your loved one to a hospital immediately. Neurosurgery might be able to help relieve pressure in the brain and save a patient’s life.
If your loved one is permanently injured from second impact syndrome, or if they died as a result of this issue, you can contact my office for further information and assistance.
