When most people think brain injury, they don’t often think of concussions. Yet, the reality is, concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury or TBI. In fact, mild TBIs are the most prevalent type of brain injury and they are often misdiagnosed initially.
Resulting from an impact to the head, a concussion means an individual is experiencing an altered mental state – meaning he or she is confused or disoriented – and he or she may have been unconscious. Common causes of concussions include car accidents, colliding with a player during a sporting event, falling, or any traumatic event that causes the head to receive a whiplash. Although there is a fluid around the brain to protect it from a blow, concussions can still happen when the force to the head is strong enough to knock the brain into the skull.
Once the trauma occurs, the brain swells and individuals may experience an array of symptoms referred to as post-concussive syndrome. Some symptoms may appear immediately after the concussions while others can be delayed.
Symptoms of a Concussion May Include:
- Headaches
- Having more trouble than usual remembering things, concentrating, organizing daily tasks, making decisions, and solving problems
- Slowness in thinking, acting, speaking, or reading
- Getting easily confused
- Neck pain
- Lack of energy
- Change in sleeping pattern
- Sleeping for longer periods of time or having trouble sleeping/insomnia
- Loss of balance, feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Increased sensitivity to sounds and lights
- Blurred vision
- Loss of sense of taste or smell
- Ringing in the ears
- Mood changes or lack of motivation
- Becoming easily irritated or angry
Why You Should Take a Concussion Seriously
Concussions can have a lasting impact on children and adults. Danger signs range and include looking very drowsy, losing consciousness, having convulsions, being unable to recognize people or places, or having one pupil larger than the other. Children may also be inconsolable or won’t nurse or eat. Learn more here.
Depending on the severity of the concussion, individuals will need to rest and avoid or limit activities that require thinking and concentration. You may need to shorten school and work days. Some individuals may also need to complete neurorehabilitation post-concussion, including occupational, speech, and cognitive therapy.
Should you have questions about mild traumatic brain injuries or neurorehabilitation and therapy post-concussion, we encourage you to contact the Nexus Health Systems admissions team. Our representatives can provide more information and guidance.
