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Can You Spot the Signs of Concussion?

The effects of a blow to the head are often mild and temporary. Concussion becomes a concern when the impact is more severe and the effects that come afterward are pronounced and lingering. When choosing how to react to a concussion, erring toward caution may be your wisest choice.

Physical Pain from a Concussion
The physical effects may be the easiest signs to spot when determining whether a concussion is serious. They include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or balance issues, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and noise, numbness, slurred speech, delayed responses and lack of physical coordination. You should take heed if you observe any of these symptoms after an injury or fall.

Diminished Consciousness from a Concussion
Concussion can lead to diminished consciousness, which might often be mistaken for drowsiness. Other symptoms related to an inhibited level of consciousness are sleeping longer, sleeping less, trouble sleeping, and a lack of energy. If you or someone you know has suffered a physical impact, be sure to take note if sleep patterns change.

Cognitive Effects of a Concussion
A concussion may affect the ability to think clearly. You may notice impaired memory, lack of concentration, and difficulty with thought processes. Because these symptoms may be harder to spot, asking questions of the affected individual may help in determining if the condition is serious.

Emotional Signs of a Concussion
Inappropriate or random emotional reactions may occur as a result of a concussion. Emotional hallmarks of a concussion may be irritability, sadness, or anxiety. SafetyResource.org suggests looking for reactions that are out of proportion to the circumstances.

Severe Concussion
A severe concussion may include complete unconsciousness. Other signs to look for are slurred speech, lack of balance, and an inability to focus the eyes. Though these are the most obvious signs, if you suspect a lesser concussion, medical attention may still be needed.

What to Do If Concussion Is Suspected
After a fall or blow to the head, athletes should be removed from competition or practice if you suspect a concussion. It may be possible to determine the level of concussion by severity of the symptoms. However, it is best to seek professional medical assistance if you or someone you know experiences any of the signs. It is critical that anyone who has had a concussion takes time to fully heal before taking the playing field again.

If you have concerns over an impact or sports injury that may involve a concussion, the hospitals of HCA East Florida can help. We provide the very best of emergency care, and you can count on our ER wait times to be low.

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About HCA East Florida

Building a Healthy Community -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In communities across South Florida and the Treasure Coast, more than 12,000 of your neighbors, friends and colleagues are committed to building a Healthy Community – a community with dedicated neighborhood groups, active little leagues, charities helping those in need, firstclass institutions that contribute to the overall well-being of the community, and businesses committed to making the communities they serve a better place. A National Presence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HCA’s roots date back to the 1960s when Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. led a group of physicians to build a hospital in Nashville,Tennessee. Close to four decades of hard work and dedication have made HCA – Hospital Corporation of America – the nation’s leading provider of quality healthcare services, with locally managed facilities that include approximately 191 hospitals and 82 outpatient surgery centers in 23 states, England and Switzerland. In Florida, there are 40 hospitals and 28 surgery centers, three division offices, and multiple other service facilities affiliated with HCA that employ close to 40,000 individuals. HCA affiliated facilities in East Florida are a part of a quality healthcare network in East Florida and the Treasure Coast with 12 affiliated hospitals, 12 surgery centers, one integrated regional lab and one consolidated service center. Together, the network employs more than 12,500 individuals and has close to 6,000 physicians on staff. A Commitment to Excellence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hospitals have become the front line of healthcare in our country, creating demands never seen before. Technology, a growing and ever-changing part of healthcare, has pushed the boundaries of how care is provided and the expectations of those receiving care. Providing high quality and cost effective healthcare requires a constant upgrade of our facilities and the technology within the facilities. Whether it is an expanded Emergency Room or the latest imaging technology, our commitment to excellence is unwavering. Excellence is achieved when excellence is expected. HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals expect and are committed to excellence. A Clear Vision -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HCA’s corporate mission and values statement says it best: Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we strive to deliver high quality, cost effective healthcare in the communities we serve. HCA East Florida and its 12 affiliate hospitals are proud to be living up to that commitment. Recognized Leaders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The benchmark for quality and leadership is found in the men and women who make up HCA East Florida network of hospitals. It is the caring touch of a physician, the friendly smile of a volunteer, the compassion of a nurse, the professionalism of a technician or the willingness to help of an office clerk. It is the excellence of the individual that has made HCA affiliated hospitals in East Florida recognized leaders in the communities they serve. HCA’s affiliate hospitals consistently appear among the Top 100 Hospitals and receive outstanding ratings from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. They receive 5 star ratings from Healthgrades, Inc. and recognition from the Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety. More importantly, our patient and physician satisfaction surveys consistently prove that the HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals are recognized leaders in the delivery of quality healthcare. The 12 HCA East Florida affiliate hospitals provided in excess of $ 800 million in care to the neediest without any compensation. In addition, we have implemented a comprehensive charitable care policy that provides financial relief to more of our charity patients and needs-based discounts to uninsured patients. One of the biggest challenges faced by the healthcare industry is the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, especially Registered Nurses. Recognizing the challenge, we established scholarship programs at Palm Beach Community College, Broward Community College, Miami Dade College and Florida International University. The active involvement of HCA affiliated hospitals in the community will continue through our support of major initiatives as well as our active leadership and participation in a variety of organizations that promote the social and economic wellbeing of our community and embrace our cultural diversity. If an initiative or organization is looking to build a Healthy Community, you’re likely to find someone from an HCA affiliated East Florida hospital actively involved. “Healthy Community - A Community Initiative of the East Florida hospitals affiliated with HCA.” The terms “HCA” or the “Company” as used herein refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context. The terms “facilities,” “hospitals,” “medical centers,” “surgery centers” and “affiliates” refer to entities owned or operated by subsidiaries or affiliates of HCA Inc. References herein to “HCA employees” or to “our employees” refer to employees of affiliates or subsidiaries of HCA Inc.
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