Concussion Information

Concussion Definition

A concussion:

• is a brain injury that causes changes in how the brain functions, leading to symptoms that can be physical (e.g., headache, dizziness), cognitive (e.g., difficulty concentrating or remembering), emotions/behavioural (e.g., depression, irritability) and/or related to sleep (e.g., drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep);

• may be caused either by a direct blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the both that transmits a force to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull;

• can occur even if there has been no loss of consciousness (in fact most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness; and,

• cannot normally be seen on X-rays, standars CT scans or MRI’s.

Schools should follow the Concussion Management Procedures as per the New Brunswick Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics, 2014.

The NBIAA is highly recommending that coaches complete the free online concussion course at www.coach.ca.