Hi everyone new member here.
I'm gonna make a really long story short because I want to get straight to the questions I have, but I'm an incoming college freshman (I move in in about a week) and I suffered from a concussion in mid April of 2017. During spring break I tripped and hit my head on concrete, giving myself a concussion, and I didn't really notice symptoms until I tried exercising and it backfired majorly. I had to take a week off of school and I was feeling A LOT better after about a month. Symptoms were headaches, brain fog, concentration issues the more I exerted my brain. I had a few minor setbacks along the way, but starting in June it seemed I was already feeling myself again... until I had SEVERAL minor hits to the head that seemed to bring back symptoms and kept occurring for some reason. At college orientation mid June I hit my head on my lofted bed, and was feeling better within a week. I was feeling pretty much completely better until a bunch more minor hits occurred. July 30th I hit my head on a low ceiling, which caused me to feel a bit foggy and headachy afterwards, August 3rd my friend and I were playing basketball and he shot an airball that hit me on top of the head (again had symptoms for a few days afterwards). Then again August 8th my friend was shooting basketball outside and it bounced off the rim and hit me in the face. After each of these instances I felt symptoms for a few days that went away. Recently 2 days ago I was hanging out with friends and one of my friends pulled me towards him and our heads collided not very hard at all but significant enough to cause me major anxiety. 2 days later and I'm feeling slight brain fog and minor headaches, and I'm wondering if these minor bumps should be something to be concerned about? Each of these hits were very minor, but could they have caused damage since I had so many of them? Are these symptoms real or is it just my anxiety hyper focusing on the symptoms and the fact that I hit my head again? As I move into college in a week, how conservative should I be about participating in athletic activities at school? I couldn't find anything else on the internet about minor bumps after a concussion, should I be worrying about these bumps at all?

nf2055,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

What you have experiences is quite common. Nobody can say for sure but usually, these bumps are not a concussion. If they were a concussion, you would usually experience some immediate sensations of visual, cognitive and/or vestibular disturbance. Your post does not explain whether you experienced any of these or whether the symptoms were more of a delayed manifestation.

More often, they trigger a set of memorized symptoms from the previous concussion. If you stopped during a stressful day and tried to 'find' if you were experiencing any symptoms, I almost guarantee that you would. The power of suggestion, especially after recovering from a concussion, is very strong. " I just bumped my head. Am I feeling dizzy? Oh yeah, just a bit." It goes away because you forget about it.

In some cases, there are true physiological symptoms. They often have nothing to do with a concussion but rather a strain to the upper neck. A lot of concussion symptoms are caused by subtle trauma to the upper neck. This causes inflammation that disrupts blood flow and may cause muscle spams that lead to headaches. The vertical bumps to the top of the head are rough on the upper neck. Sudden head movements, like a basketball hitting your head can cause a whiplash like trauma.

As Bud, one of our other participants pointed out as he struggled with these bumps: If you would not have given these bumps a second thought prior to your concussion, you should not get concerned about them now.

This does not mean you can engage in risky activities. Scaling back the intensity of a basketball game can be worthwhile. If playing soccer, NO ball heading. Many of us have chosen to just eliminate these activities and replace them with less risky activities.

It can also help to learn to be more purposeful with body movements. The previously concussed brain has often lost some of the subconscious coordination skills. Instead, we have to slow down and be purposeful with our movements.

This same concept should be considered regarding alcohol. Alcohol can affect the concussed brain in more intense ways. A bit of balance and coordination loss from a concussion can be a big loss when a bit buzzed. The doctor examines a concussed patient the same way a cop does a sobriety check. That 'follow the light/my finger without moving your head' test indicates brain impairment. "But officer, I'm not drunk. I'm recovering from a concussion" does not work without a blood test. I failed some parts of a roadside sobriety test once even though I do not drink. Research suggests a single serving of alcohol is tolerable but more creates a risk.

I bet previous to your concussion, your reactions would have allowed you to dodge the basketball headed toward your head/face. Those slowed reaction times are a common prolonged, even lifelong concussion symptom.

So, reduce your risk of a real concussion and remember that these bumps are something you would have ignored before your concussion. If you let anxiety about these bumps take over, that anxiety will make your life miserable.

Stay sober. It would be helpful to look into a brain health diet/supplement regimen. College is stressful. Brain health vitamins help the brain tolerate stress. See the Vitamins sticky at the top for a good regimen.

btw, A lot of concussions happen from head colliding in basketball, soccer, la cross and especially rugby. If you ride a bike, get the best helmet you can and be sure it fits correctly.

My best to you.

NF,

It took me a good while to recognize the difference between anxiety and actual symptoms, pay attention and you will figure it out.

Concussions can change life in very uncomfortable ways for awhile and the brain does not soon forget those nasty symptoms, it spends a great deal of effort trying to protect us as we regain our lives back.

My guess is if you can withstand the pounding of running up and down a court and the jumping associated with basketball you are just fine when the ball hits your head.

As Mark said don't be foolish but don't baby it either, you will heal and life will go on so allow it.

Good luck at school and stay away from the drinking, good way to get hurt again.

Bud