In the United States, we have a tendency to associate concussions with sports. Football comes to mind immediately, and other contact sports like hockey or even soccer have relatively high rates of concussions. What may not be readily apparent is that sports make up only part of the picture.
Estimates are as high as 3.8 million concussions per year, with many of these potentially going unreported due to individuals choosing not to seek medical attention.
It’s important to remember not all concussions are the result of direct blows to the head. They can also be caused by a sudden movement caused by impact elsewhere in the body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth.
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of concussions in the general population. The highest rates of complications due to concussions are in individuals over the age of 75, highlighting potential risks associated with falls.
Some symptoms can also be delayed or persist for longer periods, and they should be taken seriously.
Let’s talk about the signs and symptoms of a concussion, what to do if you suspect you or a loved one might have a concussion, and scans available to help you determine if you may have brain damage.
What Are The Signs Of A Concussion?
A concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury that can temporarily impact brain functioning. Even though these injuries are given the moniker “mild,” their effects have the potential to be serious.
Brain tissue is sort of spongy, or soft, with a consistency of gelatin. It’s insulated well, but a strong enough impact can cause it to bounce or move around within your skull. When this happens, cells can become damaged, disrupting signals and brain chemistry.
The early signs and symptoms of a concussion include:
- Confusion or disorientation.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Blurred vision.
- Slurred speech.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Feeling groggy or sleepy.
Symptoms can vary between individuals, and the timing is not always consistent. Some of the early signs of a concussion may take hours or days to develop, while others may be more immediate. In general, early symptoms have a tendency to resolve within one to two weeks.
Although less common, there are instances where these initial symptoms persist for much longer. A condition known as post-concussion syndrome can develop, which is broadly defined as symptoms lasting longer than two to three weeks. In some cases these symptoms follow a pattern where they come and go over the course of up to several months or a year or more.
These can sometimes be signs of overlooked injuries related to the initial incident, like neck injuries or nerve damage. It’s important to keep open communication with your doctor about how you’re feeling over time, particularly after a head injury.
Delayed Concussion Symptoms
As time goes on, some of the symptoms of a concussion may begin to shift or other symptoms become more noticeable.
After several weeks, you may notice:
- Changes in sleep patterns, including more difficulty falling asleep.
- Feeling lethargic, tired, or like you have no energy.
- Persistent or recurring ringing in ears.
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly.
- Short or long-term memory loss.
- Feeling more emotional, sad, or anxious.
- Becoming easily irritated or angry.
Many of these symptoms are more difficult to pin down as injury-related. They are somewhat removed from the injury because they can occur weeks or months after an accident. They are also symptoms that may have a tendency to be dismissed or attributed to other health concerns. Checking in with your doctor and giving them an accurate history is crucial.
What To Do For A Concussion In Adults
Any head trauma or suspected signs of a concussion merits a visit with your doctor. You will be able to more accurately determine your status, watch for important signs of changes, and develop a personalized plan for recovery. Call your clinic and schedule an appointment within a couple of days of the injury if you are able.
If you aren’t able to attend an appointment in person, a virtual visit can still be beneficial. This will enable you to describe your injury, how you’ve been feeling, and receive some advice about how to move forward. If left untreated, some of the complications of head trauma have the potential to lead to more serious outcomes like disability or death.
Our sister company, Craft Concierge, offers direct primary care services — including brain MRIs — that make getting an appointment effortless.
In some situations, an MRI may be helpful to determine the extent of injury and guide future treatment.
When To Go To The Emergency Room For A Concussion
Head trauma can sometimes cause a clot to form, affecting circulation or creating pressure on your brain. The signs that someone should go to the emergency room can be broken into categories based on whether you observe the signs in yourself, or if you are caring for someone who has experienced head trauma.
Self-Monitoring
Call 911 or go to the emergency department right away if you have:
- Slurred speech.
- Persistent nausea and vomiting.
- Problems with coordination.
- Numbness.
- Headache that persists or becomes progressively worse.
Caring For Someone With Suspected Head Trauma
Call 911 or take the individual to the emergency department right away if they:
- Have lost consciousness, or have become very drowsy and are not responsive.
- Are experiencing seizures or convulsions.
- Are disoriented — unable to remember where they are or recognize people.
- Become progressively more agitated or confused.
- Have a pupil that is noticeably larger than the other.
Concussion Treatment
The treatment needed for a concussion will vary depending on the severity and the nature of any associated physical injuries.
Multiple related injuries may need to be assessed and managed, along with an assessment of the severity of the concussion itself, highlighting the importance of checking in with your doctor for a thorough evaluation.
No medications can speed up recovery of the concussion itself, but related injuries may benefit from treatment.
Concussion Recovery
In general, mild concussions are approached with a period of rest to allow the brain to heal over time. Concussion protocols have become more prominent, with more famous versions being introduced by organizations like the NFL and NCAA over time. These are somewhat broad recommendations that emphasize the potential for variability among individuals.
Recommendations for rest for the general population mirror those for amateur and professional athletes, with some basic guidelines:
- Get plenty of sleep, and take time to rest during the day.
- Do not drive until your doctor has determined it’s safe to do so.
- Slowly bring back components of your routine, i.e., talk with your job or school about reduced responsibilities early in recovery.
- Keep physical activity light initially.
- Avoid alcohol until your doctor has advised it is safe to drink.
As acknowledgement of the satellite of symptoms has increased over time, many physicians are beginning to take a more holistic approach. This means changes in vision, balance, and mood are all monitored and treatment recommendations are provided as necessary. At times, this can also include medications or therapy to help with managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
How Long Do Concussion Symptoms Last?
A majority of concussion symptoms tend to resolve within about ten days, but there is a potential for fairly wide variability.
A transition from acute concussion symptoms to post-concussion syndrome presents grey area without a distinguished cut-off.
It can be helpful to break symptoms down into the categories discussed above to develop a general idea of symptom duration:
- Delayed symptoms like mood changes or memory loss can occur regardless of whether early symptoms persist, and can last months or years.
- Post-concussion syndrome involving persistent early symptoms can last for months or up to a year.
- Early Concussion symptoms resolve within about ten days in a majority of cases.
What are the Long-term Effects of Concussions?
In most cases, a single concussion is not life-threatening and will be unlikely to cause permanent brain damage.
Concussions vary in severity however, and their potential impact on your health should be evaluated by a healthcare professional regardless of whether an immediate trip to an emergency department was needed. The sooner you get checked out, the sooner you will be able to clarify your status and take steps to protect your overall health.
Concussions have been linked to some of the following longer-term effects:
- An elevated risk of developing anxiety and depression.
- Memory impairment.
- Dementia.
- A higher risk for additional concussions.
Repeat concussions are particularly concerning because of their higher potential to lead to much more serious outcomes. Some studies discuss the potential dangers of second impact syndrome, in which a second concussion is experienced while still recovering from the first. In these cases there appears to be a risk for developing rapid, potentially fatal swelling, highlighting the importance of a rest period.
Repeat concussions over time are also responsible for causing conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, a long-term condition affecting multiple systems. CTE has been made more famous by its prevalence in professional athletes, but it has also been identified in military veterans exposed to explosives. CTE can occur in anyone with multiple instances of head trauma.
Lower your risk of head trauma by taking small steps like wearing your seat belt when you’re in the car, or minimizing your risk of falls — use handrails on steps, add grab bars and safety mats in the shower and bathroom. Pay attention to your medications as well and ask your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness and increase the risk of falls.
How To Check For Brain Damage
If you or a loved one are concerned you may have experienced a concussion or may be living with the lingering effects of a past head trauma, support is available. In some cases, imaging is recommended to provide a better picture of your current status and help you determine the best way to manage your health moving forward.
Craft Body Scan offers an MRI-based brain scan in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you have any questions about the service or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to reach out or click the button below.
