Many people wrongly believe people have to lose consciousness to be concussed, Brain Injury Association Otago liaison officer Cathy Matthews says.During the nationwide Brain Injury Awareness Week this week, the focus is on concussion.
Each year in New Zealand, 24,000 cases of concussion are reported, but many more would not be reported, she said.
Someone might get a bang on the head and not think much of it, but the symptoms might show up days, weeks, or even months later.
Young men playing sport and going back on the field concussed, or going out drinking after concussion and risking having a fall because they were unsteady on their feet, were a concern, she said.
A second concussion could limit their chances of a good recovery.
When a person received a second concussion before the first had healed, they could require emergency medical treatment and the condition could be fatal, Mrs Matthews said.
People who had suffered a concussion should not return to strenuous activity until they had been free of symptoms for at least a week.
Mrs Matthews drew a comparison between concussion and a sprained ankle.
People did not put a sprained ankle under pressure because it hurt, thus allowing it to heal, but did not realise they needed to give the brain a similar rest after a concussion.
Former All Black Josh Kronfeld was guest of honour at a breakfast for about 85 people at the Edgar Centre to launch the week in Dunedin yesterday.
On Friday, a street collection and a lunchtime sausage sizzle will be held.
Mrs Matthews said the accompanying information stand would feature 90 balloons, symbolising the fact that every day that number of people in New Zealand suffered a brain injury.
Pocket-sized information kits, produced by ACC, offering information about sideline checks for concussion would be available.
Spectators, sports players and officials had found these valuable.
Brain injury will be the subject of a special Otago Daily Times feature on Saturday.
