As Princess Anne is rushed to hospital with a head injury, experts reveal why concussion should never be dismissed… and how to spot the warning signs

Princess Anne has been admitted to hospital with a minor head injury and concussion, Buckingham Palace announced today.

The King’s 73-year-old sister was walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire yesterday when she was injured.

The Olympic medal-winning rider received medical care before being taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.

The palace said the Princess Royal suffered minor injuries to the head, believed to be consistent with a possible impact from a horse’s head or legs.

Concussion is a common injury, but experts warn that despite its potential severity, it can often be dismissed.

However, if not treated properly, it can leave a much longer lasting effect.

Here, MailOnline explains everything you need to know about the condition and its crucial warning signs.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary loss of normal brain function.

The brain, which has the consistency of firm jelly, hits the hard sides of the skull and the impact can even cause bleeding.

There may be no visible head injury or obvious damage to the brain; a concussion can occur without structural changes visible on MRI or CT scans. This makes it a complex injury to diagnose and treat.

It can be caused by direct trauma to the head, such as from falling, being hit, sports injuries or an accident.

They can also occur due to rapid acceleration-deceleration of the head, such as in whiplash injuries or explosive injuries.

What are the main warning signs?

With mild head injuries, people may experience a range of concussion symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, or an inability to process or retain information.

Other common symptoms include sensitivity to light and inability to sleep well.

About one in 10 cases also involve loss of consciousness, says brain injury charity Headways.

Experts have long advised against relying on this alone as an indicator of a concussion.

According to the NHS, vision disturbances such as ‘star seeing’ or blurred vision or a delay in answering questions immediately after the head injury are frequent signs.

It may also happen that no symptoms occur for up to 48 hours after the incident.

When should I seek medical advice?

After a concussion, it is important to be accompanied by a responsible adult if possible.

Although unlikely, there is a small risk of developing complications.

The health service is urging people to go to A&E if they have lost consciousness or suffered memory loss, even briefly, after the incident.

Persistent headaches, behavioral changes such as irritability, being easily distracted or lacking interest in the outside world are other indicators that you should go to the hospital.

Additional important warning signs include loss of balance or difficulty walking, vomiting after the injury, sudden deafness in one or both ears, and clear fluid leaving the nose or ears.

This could be cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain.

In rare cases, a dangerous blood collection – medically known as a hematoma – can form on the brain after a bump, blow or shock to the head, which can cause the brain to be pressed against the skull.

Danger signs include one pupil being larger than the other. drowsiness or inability to wake up and repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures.

How long do the symptoms last?

In many cases, symptoms disappear within days or weeks.

However, for some people, problems can persist for months before finally resolving themselves.

A Canadian study, published in BMJ Open Sports and Exercise MedicineResearch shows that 80 to 90 percent of concussions are short-lived, with all symptoms resolving within 28 days.

However, in some cases, recovery can take months, especially if recovery is ignored or rushed.

Research from the University of Cambridge last year found that almost half of people (45 percent) with a concussion still show symptoms of brain injury six months later.

In 108 patients with mild traumatic brain injury, the scientists compared their MRI scans, looking at how different parts of the brain coordinate with each other, and compared them with scans from 76 healthy volunteers.

Writing in the diary Brainthe team also said six months later that the most common symptoms were fatigue, poor concentration and headaches.

How is a concussion treated?

Although there is no single treatment for a concussion, with proper medical care and adequate rest, most people will recover well.

This will look different for each person, but the NHS recommends always applying a cold compress – such as a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel – to the injury first to reduce swelling.

However, never place ice directly on the skin because it is too cold.

This compress should be applied every two to four hours and left in place for 20 to 30 minutes.

Medications such as acetaminophen can also help control pain.

But nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin should not be used as they can sometimes cause bleeding at the site of the injury.

Patients with a concussion should also try to get enough rest and avoid drinking or ingesting alcohol recreational drugs.

In rarer cases, in people with longer-term concussion symptoms, physical therapy after a concussion can help relieve headaches, neck pain, and balance problems.