Five Common Myths About Concussions

Misinformation around concussions can be extremely dangerous, as it can lead to improper protocol and treatment.

We’ve debunked five of the most common concussion myths so you can keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe the next time someone experiences a head injury.

Myth 1: You Need to Lose Consciousness to Have a Concussion

This myth is particularly dangerous, as it can lead people to think they haven’t suffered a concussion because they never lost consciousness.

In reality, only around 10% of concussions include loss of consciousness, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Myth 2: You Have to Hit Your Head to Get a Concussion

Although concussions can be the result of a direct blow to the head in contact sports, they can also occur in non-contact sports and everyday activities. For example, concussions can be caused by an abrupt bump or jolt to the body that shakes the head, like whiplash in a car crash or a fall down the stairs.

Myth 3: You Have to Keep Someone with a Concussion Awake

This misinformation comes from the thought that if a person is suffering from a brain bleed or a hematoma, sleeping could lead to a rare, potentially fatal complication called a lucid interval.

However, internal bleeding in the brain is rarely associated with concussions and if a person with a concussion has been cleared by a medical professional, it is safe for him or her to sleep.

In reality, sleep is beneficial for those who have suffered concussions. One of the best ways to treat concussion is through mental rest, and sleep is the perfect way to give the brain the cognitive rest it needs, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Everyday activities can be more tiring when recovering from a concussion, which is why sleep is so important.

Myth 4: If You Don’t Have Symptoms Immediately, You Don’t Have a Concussion

In some cases, concussion symptoms won’t show up for hours, days, or even a week after an injury. In addition to early symptoms such as confusion, headache, dizziness, and memory loss, more delayed signs and symptoms may include sensitivity to light and noise, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and depression, according to the Washington Post.

Myth 5: You Can Return to Play as Soon as You Feel OK

Because it can take up to a week for the symptoms of a concussion to appear, it’s wise for someone to wait to return to play until he or she has been cleared by a medical professional. Even though someone might feel physically ready to play, he or she needs to make sure they have had enough mental rest, too.

Entering play too soon can lead to dangerous complications, such as post-traumatic headache—a headache that can persist for months—or second-impact syndrome, in which someone suffers a second concussion before he or she has healed from the first one.