[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/concussion-and-loss-of-consciousness\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/concussion-and-loss-of-consciousness\/","headline":"Concussion and Loss of Consciousness","name":"Concussion and Loss of Consciousness","description":"Find out the truth behind the common myth that concussion occurs more often following loss of consciousness. Learn about UPMC's research and recovery plans.","datePublished":"2015-04-11","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/football-collision.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/football-collision.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/concussion-and-loss-of-consciousness\/","about":["Neurosurgery and Brain Health","Rehabilitation","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":459,"keywords":["concussion misconceptions","concussion recovery","concussion; loss of consciousness; concussion myths","rethink concussions","UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program"],"articleBody":"Some of the fear surrounding a concussion stem from common misconceptions and lack of information about the injury, the possibility of a complete recovery, and safe-return-to-play strategies. At UPMC, we want to dispel these myths with active, multidisciplinary approaches to care, a prolific research program, and evidence-based outcomes.The Loss of Consciousness MythOne common myth about a concussion is that it only occurs, or more often occurs, following loss of consciousness. The truth is that concussions occur with or without loss of consciousness. In fact, more than 90 percent of concussions are not accompanied by a loss of consciousness.A related myth is that when there is a loss of consciousness, this indicates a more serious concussion and a lengthy recovery period. Our research shows that loss of consciousness is not directly correlated to a longer recovery, and may even be associated with a shorter one.Our Concussion ResearchAt the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, we are leaders in concussion research. In our 2011 study, Which On-field Signs\/Symptoms Predict Protracted Recovery Times from Sports-Related Concussion Among High School Football Players?, we analyzed specific on-field signs and symptoms following sports-related concussions among a sample of high school football players in Western Pennsylvania.RELATED:\u00a0Can Concussions Impact Memory or Intelligence?Concussion SymptomsBecause\u00a0recovering from a concussion varies from person to person, our research team attempted\u00a0to identify predictors of a longer recovery based on common symptoms. In this study, longer recoveries were considered to last 21 days or more, while rapid recoveries were those under one week. The concussion signs and symptoms analyzed included:Loss of consciousnessConfusionPosttraumatic amnesiaRetrograde amnesiaImbalanceDizzinessVisual problemsPersonality changesFatigueSensitivity to light\/noiseNumbnessVomitingOur FindingsWhen compared with the other on-field signs and symptoms, a loss of consciousness less than one minute was less correlated to longer recovery times than other symptoms. Out of 107 study participants, only two reported loss of consciousness and experienced a longer recovery time. Thirty-four participants complaining of dizziness and 35 participants reporting headaches also experienced long recovery times.These findings suggest that loss of conscious does not indicate a more severe injury or predict a longer recovery time.RELATED:\u00a0Tip Sheet: Concussion Signs and Symptoms EvaluationCare for Your ConcussionAt the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, we take a multidisciplinary approach to treating concussions based on each individual’s symptoms. Whether a concussion includes loss of consciousness, our team of experts works to individualize care and to develop a treatment program to help every athlete, or non-athlete, eliminate their symptoms.To learn more about our approach to treating concussions at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, visit rethinkconcussions.upmc.com to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call 1-855-93-SPORT(77678)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Concussion and Loss of Consciousness","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/concussion-and-loss-of-consciousness\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]