Every year millions of Americans suffer from brain injuries. In fact, between 1.7 to 3 million sports-related and recreation-related concussions happen yearly.
In reality, concussions are more common than we suspect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 200,000 traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations occurred in 2019 — and many concussions go undiagnosed.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
- What is a concussion?
- Symptoms of a concussion
- What is the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury?
- Is a concussion a serious brain injury?
- How long does a concussion last?
- What to do after sustaining a concussion
What is a Concussion?
The CDC describes a concussion as a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a jolt or blow to the head or a hit to the body causing the brain to rapidly move back and forth inside the skull. This movement can cause chemical changes, torn brain tissue, and damage to brain cells.
A common misconception among the general public is that sustaining a concussion causes loss of consciousness. However, this is not always the case. Concussions are characterized by a short loss of normal brain function following a blow.
The Mayo Clinic states that falls are some of the most common causes of concussions. Concussions happen a lot of times in sports. Professional athletes and adolescent student-athletes who play contact sports are most at risk of sustaining a concussive injury.
Studies have shown a higher rate of concussions in female athletes compared to male athletes. Not only are there many female athletes who sustain a sports concussion, but additional studies have also shown that female athletes are more likely to sustain more severe concussive injuries.
Symptoms of a Concussion
The symptoms of a concussion may not present themselves immediately. They may also be harder to detect. Some of these symptoms may appear days or weeks after the initial impact and last for the same amount of time.
Some of the most common concussion symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Vomiting and/or nausea
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Amnesia surrounding the incident
- Confusion or a “foggy feeling”
- Delayed responses when questioned
- Memory loss, or repeatedly asking the same question
- Personality changes
- Irritability
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Moodiness or depression
Due to their poor balance and explorative nature, head injuries are also common among children. However, concussions may be harder to spot in kids because of their inability to describe what they are currently experiencing.
Signs of concussions in children may include:
- Change in eating
- Change in sleep patterns
- Excessive crying
- Irritability
- Loss of balance or walking unsteadily
- Loss of interest in their favorite toy/s
- Vomiting
- Seizures
What is the Difference Between a Concussion and a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury or a TBI occurs when a sudden jolt or blow to the head causes brain damage. TBI is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of injuries that the brain can suffer.
Healthcare providers often categorize concussions as mild head injuries, as concussions are usually not considered life-threatening. However, they must still be taken seriously.
This type of injury is usually the result of dramatic physical trauma, such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other events that cause severe impact to the head. A concussion, on the other hand, may not necessarily be the result of such an extent of trauma.
Due to the subtle symptoms of concussion, it may be harder to diagnose than more severe brain injuries. Regardless of whether or not you suspect your head injury to only be minor, you must still have yourself assessed by a medical professional.
Is a Concussion a Serious Brain Injury?
As injuries or events that lead up to a concussion may not be as serious, it is not uncommon to wonder, “Is a concussion a serious brain injury?“
Despite only being considered a mild brain injury, concussions should still be taken seriously. Even mild concussions must be considered. Victims of a head injury must seek immediate treatment after an incident.
If a concussion is left untreated, this may result in chronic headaches, loss of memory, and post-concussion syndrome. The post-concussive syndrome occurs when the symptoms of a concussion last longer than expected. Not all those who suffer from a concussion experience exhibit persistent post-concussive symptoms.
An untreated traumatic brain injury may lead to long-term physical effects, such as an increased risk for degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and other cognitive, neurological, and emotional problems.
If you or someone you know has suffered a head injury and still experiences some of these long-term symptoms, it is imperative that you obtain a clinical diagnosis from a medical professional.
How Long Does a Concussion Last?
The Mayo Clinic states that symptoms of concussions appear within the first 7 to 10 days after the incident, and may go away within the next three months. However, some common symptoms may last for a year or more.
When determining the length of post-concussion symptoms, two risk factors are taken into consideration: age and sex.
According to WebMD, older individuals are more at risk and susceptible to experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms; whereas women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with the same. The Mayo Clinic attributes this diagnosis to the fact that women are more likely to seek medical care than men.
What To Do After Sustaining a Concussion
After obtaining a diagnosis, your doctor will most likely recommend that you take physical and mental rest to help recover from this traumatic injury.
This may include what is called “relative rest.” This means limiting activities that require thinking and mental application. Contrary to what some may believe, complete rest or totally avoiding all stimuli will not help recovery and is not recommended.
Within the first two days post-injury, it is recommended that all activities that require high mental concentration be avoided, such as video games, watching television, reading and doing homework, and using a computer.
After some time of relative rest, your doctor may recommend a gradual return to normal activities, such as screen time, if this is possible without triggering any symptoms. A patient may also return to mental and physical activities such as light exercise, as long as these are done at levels that do not exacerbate the symptoms.
Your doctor may also recommend physical therapists or different therapies that may help improve any issues with cognitive rehabilitation for problems with thinking, memory, and mobility.
Patients with a medical history of a prior concussion are more susceptible to sustaining a 2nd concussion soon after the first injury. This is why you must take treatment and your diagnosis seriously.
Help Is Available
If you or a loved one are wondering “Is a concussion a serious brain injury”?- after being affected in an accident, is important to know if there is some risk of TBI or if are you already suffering from one. These types of head injuries can cause physical and emotional problems and may even result in long-term disability.
The Brain Injury Help Center in California provides support, information, and assistance for TBI patients and their loved ones in need of help. Whether it be the complexities of a traumatic brain injury or insurance claims resulting from an accident, we have the resources and expertise for you.
Do not hesitate to contact us at (866) 576-0936 for a free consultation.
