By 
A concussion is a typical traumatic brain injury affecting your brain function, causing temporal effects such as problems with concentration, headache, balance, memory, and coordination. It can be caused by violently shaking the upper body or head or a blow to the head. Although the effects are temporal, it is critical to seek help from medical experts such as Zachary Perlman, DO, a sports medicine specialist at Kai Sports Medicine LLC, managing concussions in Oakhurst. But how do you know if you or someone else is suffering a concussion? Look at the following symptoms to be enlightened.
Physical Signs and Symptoms
Please understand that the symptoms of a concussion may be subtle and not be identified immediately. They can also last for several days, weeks, months, or longer. However, the common symptoms include amnesia, confusion, and headache. You might even forget the event that led to the condition. Some of the physical signs and symptoms include:
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ear
- Headache
- Blurry vision.
You might also experience confusion and feel like you are in a fog, see stars, or amnesia surrounding the particular event.
What You Might Witness
Sometimes a concussion can result in fainting, and you might not realize what is happening. However, someone else can observe some symptoms, or you might keep some signs from another person, which can help you act accordingly. You might notice:
- Slurred speech
- Delayed response to questions
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Dazed appearance
- Forgetfulness and one may repeatedly ask one question
Symptoms After Injury
Although you might experience some symptoms immediately after the injury happens, some effects may occur several days after the event. These include:
- Taste and smell disorder
- Psychological complications and depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Personality changes such as irritability
- Memory and concentration complaints.
Signs in Children
Infants and toddlers may not explain how they feel, making it difficult to recognize some health complications. However, head trauma is common in young children, mainly due to falls, and it would be essential to understand the signs to recognize a concussion. Some of the clues include:
- Excessive crying
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Lack of interest in favorite toys
- Unsteady walking and loss of balance
- Crankiness and irritability
- Listlessness and tiring easily
- Dazed appearance
Seeking Emergency Care
Most of the symptoms of a concussion are typical and may not require emergency care. However, sometimes it might be necessary to seek emergency care, particularly if you experience a head injury or experience symptoms such as repeated vomiting or nausea, loss of consciousness for over 30 seconds, or a headache that worsens over time.
Experiencing vision or eye disturbances, ringing in the ear that won’t go away, changes in behavior, seizures, or convulsions. Generally, symptoms that worsen over time should be red flags to seek emergency care for a concussion.
Complications
A concussion may further cause other health complications such as post-traumatic headaches, post-traumatic vertigo, post-concussion syndrome, cumulative effects of multiple brain injuries, and second impact syndrome.
These symptoms are critical in determining your treatment for a concussion. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to how you feel or observe someone else suffering the condition.
Reach out to Dr. Perlman at Kain Sports Medicine LLC today to learn more about the signs and symptoms to help you know when to seek help and emergency care.
Comments