Suffering a Concussion Often Has Multiple Unexpected Side Effects

Many people suffer a concussion without even realizing that they have. Concussions have a definition. Essentially they are an alteration of mental status in which a person didn't actually lose their consciouness. These are traumatically induced. Concussions are serious injuries that often come without warning and people suffer multiple, long-term effects from them. In many cases, serious or even fatal complications can arise months or years later. A concussion is typically identified through the presence of certain symptoms in addition to other signs found during an evaluation. When determining the severity of a concussion, doctors evaluate the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score and other diagnostic tests, such as CT scans or MRIs. A concussion often results from trauma to the head. There are a few things that you should know about concussions that you might not be aware of before your next activity that involves physical contact with another person's head.

Signs of a Concussion

Most concussion cases are mild, with symptoms resolving within a week and no lasting consequences. The first symptom of concussion is often a headache, but it can also involve a feeling of nausea or vomiting. If a concussion is severe enough, it can result in the loss of consciousness. You may have noticed that you have trouble concentrating or remembering things after a blow to your head. Other symptoms include oral bleeding, muscle spasms, and blurred vision.

In many cases, people report seeing stars when they get hit in the head. Also, concussions can result in facial distortion, difficulty speaking, tingling in the extremities, and double or blurred vision. Slight changes in behavior may also occur, like slow reflexes or a lack of coordination. If the symptoms are more severe, they can be replicated by just looking at lights and objects. Certain people may not show any signs of a concussion until many hours later, and other people may notice some effects immediately after the injury occurs. These symptoms are just signs that you might be suffering from a concussion.

Causes of Concussions

Concussions occur most frequently from a direct blow to the head that causes the brain to jolt or twist within the skull. A concussion can also occur due to repeated blows to the head, like those that occur in contact sports. Furthermore, a concussion can be caused by a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head and neck. One of the most common examples occurs when you are involved in any vehicular accident where your head collides with the inside of your car or with another object in your vehicle. Sports can often result in concussions because of the amount of torque and energy put on the head during contact.

Other physical impacts can also cause concussions. In many cases, people suffer a concussion due to an unexpected blow while performing activities that they were not previously familiar with. The symptoms of a concussion can vary based on the person who has sustained an injury. For example, minor injuries like a bump on the head or a simple fall can cause severe damage to the central nervous system and other organs in your body. You should be aware that concussions are common among young adults and athletes. However, people of all ages can suffer from a concussion.

Treating a Concussion

In most cases, the recovery process is lengthy, and when a person suffers from a concussion, they are advised to avoid any possible activity that might cause further injury. You may want to let your brain rest for days or weeks after sustaining a concussion to allow it to heal itself sooner. You will want to take it easy until your symptoms improve as much as possible. The treatments for a concussion are often the same as those for less severe injuries. If you feel sore, you may use first-aid treatments like rest, ice compresses, and pain relievers. Over-the-counter medications can also help treat mild concussion symptoms.

Other uses for medication include anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants. These drugs can provide relief from any symptoms that your concussion might be causing you to experience. However, it is essential to know that these drugs can cause side effects and should only be used if necessary.