Hey there! I’m Julián from MinuteEarth. Did you know that millions of people get diagnosed with concussions every year? Concussions can cause immediate problems like headaches, dizziness, and feeling really tired. They can also lead to long-term health issues like depression, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and even diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. But here’s the tricky part: doctors and scientists don’t completely agree on what a concussion actually is!
Many scientists think of a concussion as a minor brain injury. However, the high-tech equipment needed to spot these minor injuries is usually only available in special research labs. So, when doctors check someone who’s had a head injury, they often look for symptoms like trouble remembering things, vision problems, and coordination issues. If a person shows several of these signs, they might be told they have a concussion and be advised to rest, stay away from bright lights, and wait to get better.
But here’s the catch: not all symptoms that seem like a concussion actually come from a brain injury. For example, a headache might be due to a neck injury, dizziness could be from an inner ear problem, and feeling unexpectedly tired might be linked to emotional stress or existing depression. Each of these issues needs its own treatment, which might be missed if everything is just labeled as a “concussion.”
This is similar to a doctor saying “chest pain” without figuring out if it’s from the heart, lungs, or ribs. Plus, even if the symptoms are from a brain injury, it might be more serious than a concussion. Some severe injuries, like subdural hematomas, can look like concussions but might not be caught if brain scans aren’t done.
So, if the term “concussion” isn’t very helpful and could even be risky, why do we keep using it? One reason is that diagnosing a concussion is easier: doctors can ask a few questions, give a diagnosis, and move on, and many people recover just fine. This simple diagnosis also helps sports organizations because it allows athletes to return to play sooner than if they were diagnosed with a more serious injury. However, the confusion around the term “concussion” makes it hard to understand how big the problem really is.
If doctors made more specific diagnoses—or even stopped using the term “concussion”—researchers would have better data, and patients could get better treatment. This change could help tackle one of our big health challenges.
By the way, we’ve just launched a new show called MinuteBody! Each episode gives you a quick tour of a different body part. There’s one about muscles, another about kidneys, and even one about digestion. The show is mainly for kids, but adults love it too. It’s available on Nebula, a new streaming platform for educational creators, where we can explore ideas that might not fit on YouTube.
Nebula usually costs $3 a month, but it has teamed up with CuriosityStream! If you sign up for a free one-month trial with CuriosityStream at curiositystream.com/minute, you’ll get a Nebula subscription for free! This means you can watch MinuteBody and other Nebula shows, plus access thousands of CuriosityStream documentaries. So check it out at curiositystream.com/minuteearth and start watching!
Research the symptoms and potential long-term effects of concussions. Create a presentation to share with the class, explaining why diagnosing concussions can be challenging and the importance of accurate diagnosis.
In pairs, take turns role-playing as a doctor and a patient. The “doctor” must ask questions to diagnose a possible concussion based on symptoms. Discuss how different symptoms might indicate other issues, not just concussions.
Participate in a class debate on whether the term “concussion” should continue to be used in medical diagnoses. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering the benefits and drawbacks discussed in the article.
Write a short story from the perspective of someone experiencing symptoms that could be mistaken for a concussion. Include their journey through diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of accurate medical assessment.
Watch an episode of MinuteBody on Nebula, focusing on a body part related to concussions, like the brain. Write a summary of what you learned and how it connects to the challenges of diagnosing concussions.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is Julián from MinuteEarth. Millions of people are diagnosed with concussions each year. In addition to immediate concerns like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, concussions have been linked with long-term health issues like depression, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, progress in treatment has been hindered by a significant issue: there is no consensus on what exactly constitutes a concussion.
Many neuroscience researchers define a concussion as a specific minor brain injury. Unfortunately, the advanced equipment needed to detect minor brain injuries is mostly found in specialized research labs. As a result, when doctors evaluate patients who have recently experienced head injuries, they often diagnose based on symptoms such as short-term memory issues, vision problems, and coordination difficulties. If a patient exhibits several of these symptoms, they may be diagnosed with a concussion and advised to rest, avoid bright lights, and wait for recovery.
However, many symptoms associated with concussions may not stem from a brain injury. For instance, a headache could be due to a neck injury, dizziness might result from an inner ear issue, and unexpected fatigue could arise from emotional trauma or pre-existing depression rather than a recent injury. Each of these conditions has its own treatments that can be overlooked when the diagnosis is simply “concussion.”
This situation is analogous to a doctor diagnosing “chest pain” and prescribing a generic treatment without determining whether the pain originates from the heart, lungs, or ribs. Additionally, even when symptoms are caused by a brain injury, there is a possibility that the injury could be more severe than what a concussion diagnosis suggests. Some serious injuries, like subdural hematomas, can present similar symptoms to concussions and may be missed by routine tests, especially if brain scans are not included.
So, if the term “concussion” is not effectively serving its purpose and may even pose risks, why do we continue to use it? One reason is that diagnosing a concussion is simpler: doctors can ask a few questions, provide a diagnosis, and move on, with many patients recovering just fine. This straightforward diagnosis also benefits influential sports organizations, as it allows athletes with concussions to return to play sooner than if they were diagnosed with a more severe injury. Furthermore, the ambiguity surrounding the term “concussion” complicates the available data, making it difficult to assess the true scope of the issue.
If doctors were to make more specific diagnoses—or potentially eliminate the term “concussion” altogether—researchers would have better data to work with, and patients could receive improved treatment. This change could help address one of our significant health challenges.
By the way, we just launched a new show called MinuteBody! Each episode takes you on a minute-long tour of a different body part. There’s one about muscles, one about kidneys, and even one about digestion. The show is primarily aimed at kids, but adults seem to enjoy it too. We’re launching it on Nebula, a new streaming platform created by and for independent educational creators, allowing us to explore new ideas that might not fit on YouTube.
Nebula typically costs $3 a month, but it has partnered with CuriosityStream! If you sign up for a free one-month trial with CuriosityStream at curiositystream.com/minute, you’ll receive a Nebula subscription for free! This means you’ll not only get to watch MinuteBody and other Nebula shows, but you’ll also gain access to thousands of CuriosityStream documentaries. So head over to curiositystream.com/minuteearth and start watching!
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This version maintains the core information while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Concussion – A type of brain injury caused by a blow to the head, which can affect brain function temporarily. – After the soccer game, the doctor checked him for a concussion because he had hit his head during a fall.
Brain – The organ inside the skull that controls thoughts, memory, emotions, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, and every process that regulates our body. – The brain is a complex organ that is essential for all our bodily functions and cognitive processes.
Injury – Damage to the body caused by an external force, which can affect tissues, organs, or bones. – The athlete had to stop playing for a few weeks to recover from a knee injury.
Symptoms – Signs or indications of a condition or disease, often experienced by the patient. – Common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, and body aches.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury, and the overall condition of a person’s body or mind. – Regular exercise and a balanced diet are important for maintaining good health.
Treatment – The medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury to improve their condition. – The doctor prescribed antibiotics as a treatment for the bacterial infection.
Dizziness – A sensation of spinning or losing one’s balance, often related to problems with the inner ear or brain. – She felt dizziness after standing up too quickly from her chair.
Depression – A mental health disorder characterized by persistently low mood and a lack of interest in activities, affecting daily life. – Depression can be treated with therapy and medication to help improve mood and function.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Scientists conduct research to find new treatments for diseases and improve public health.
Diagnosis – The process of identifying a disease or condition from its signs and symptoms. – After several tests, the doctor was able to make a diagnosis of asthma for the patient.
