Signs of a Concussion: When to Seek Medical Help

Most people don't know that head injuries happen more often than they think. They can occur from a fall, a sports injury, a car accident, or a sudden impact. Some head injuries cause damage right away that can be seen, but others, like a concussion, can be much harder to find. A concussion might not seem like a big deal at first, but if you don't get it treated, it can cause serious problems.

Knowing the signs of a concussion is very important for getting the right treatment and recovery. This blog will help you spot the signs of a concussion, know when to go to the doctor, and learn how hospitals treat this condition.

What does it mean to have a concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that happens when the head gets hit, bumped, or jolted suddenly, or when any force makes the brain move quickly inside the skull. This movement can alter the chemicals in the brain and temporarily disrupt its normal functioning.

People often say that concussions are "mild," but they should never be taken lightly. Long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical problems can happen if you have multiple concussions or wait too long to get treatment.

What Causes Concussions Most Often

Anyone can get a concussion, but they are most common in:

• Injuries from playing sports: Football, soccer, hockey, and boxing are all contact sports.
• Falls: This is especially true for kids and older adults.
• Accidents on the road: sudden jolts or whiplash injuries
• Injuries at work, especially in factories or construction sites
• Attacks on people or accidents at home
• A concussion can happen even after a small bump on the head, so don't just brush off any head injury as "just a bump."

Knowing the Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of a concussion can show up right after the injury or take hours or even days to show up. They can affect how you think, feel, and move.

1. Symptoms of the body

• Headache: The most common symptom, and it often doesn't go away or gets worse.
• Feeling dizzy or having trouble with balance: Feeling unsteady or lightheaded.
• Nausea or vomiting, especially soon after the injury
• Seeing things that aren't there or seeing them twice
• Being sensitive to light or sound
• Tiredness or sleepiness: Feeling more tired than usual
• Loss of consciousness: This can occur for a short period (although not always).

2. Cognitive (Thinking) Symptoms

• Confusion: Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• Forgetfulness: not remembering things that happened before or after the injury
• Slower thinking or reaction time
• Hard to focus: Having trouble following conversations or directions

3. Changes in Behavior and Mood

• Being irritable or having mood swings
• Worry or sadness
• Strange emotional reactions, like crying easily or getting angry out of nowhere
• Feeling restless or frustrated

4. Problems with sleep

• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Having trouble getting to sleep
• Feeling tired even after getting enough sleep

For Kids and Babies

It can be harder to tell if a young child has a concussion. Some signs include excessive crying or irritability.

• Not wanting to do things you used to enjoy, like playing with toys.
• Walking unsteadily
• Throwing up or not wanting to eat
• Sleep patterns that are out of the ordinary
• If a child falls, bumps, or hits their head and exhibits any of these signs, they should see a doctor right away.

When to Get Medical Help Right Away

Some signs may mean that the brain injury is worse and needs immediate medical attention. If the injured person has any of the following, call 911 or go to the hospital right away:

• Long-term loss of consciousness (more than a minute)
• Throwing up all the time
• Headache getting worse
• Seizures or spasms
• Speech that is slurred or hard to understand
• Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
• Pupils that are of different sizes or show changes in vision
• Too much sleepiness or trouble waking up
• Coming out of the nose or ears, clear fluid or blood
• Don't ever try to "wait it out" after hitting your head. Receiving treatment early can prevent problems from occurring and expedite the healing process.

How Hospitals Figure Out If Someone Has a Concussion

Doctors begin by examining the patient's symptoms, medical history, and the details of the injury. Some common steps are:

1. A physical exam

To assess brain function, the doctor examines reflexes, balance, coordination, and how the brain responds to various stimuli.

2. Testing of the brain's ability to think

To assess how well the brain is functioning, short-term memory and concentration tests may be administered.

3. Tests that use images

• Doctors may order scans even though concussions don't usually show up on them:
• CT scans (computed tomography) to make sure there is no bleeding or skull fractures
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to find small brain injuries
• These tests ensure that no serious or structural damage is overlooked.

Getting better and getting treatment

There is no one "cure" for a concussion, but getting enough sleep and seeing a doctor are important parts of getting better.

1. Rest at first

The brain can heal when you give it a break from work and play. This means limiting activities such as reading, watching TV, driving, or playing sports for the first few days.

2. Slowly getting back to normal activities

Doctors recommend that people gradually return to their normal routines once their symptoms improve. They should start with light activity and work their way up to full participation.

3. Medicines

You can take acetaminophen to help with headaches, but don't take anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin unless your doctor tells you to. These drugs can make bleeding more likely.

4. Care After the Event

To monitor symptoms and prevent complications, hospitals often schedule follow-up visits. In some cases, you may need to see a neurologist or a concussion specialist.

Possible problems

Most people get better in a few weeks, but if you don't get treatment or have more than one concussion, you could have long-term problems like:

• After a concussion, Headaches that don't go away, dizziness, and trouble remembering things for weeks or months
• Second-impact syndrome is a rare but serious condition that happens when a second concussion occurs before the first one heals, causing the brain to swell.
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disease that gets worse over time and is common in athletes who get hit in the head a lot.
• These risks highlight the importance of seeking medical attention promptly and allowing sufficient time for recovery.

How to Avoid

You can't avoid every accident, but you can take steps to lower your risk of getting a concussion:

• Put on safety gear: Helmets for biking, sports, or riding two-wheelers
• Always wear a seatbelt and ensure the airbags are working properly.
• To prevent falls, keep living areas tidy, install grab bars in bathrooms, and ensure there is adequate lighting.
• Follow the rules for sports safety: Promote fair play and good tackling techniques.
• Watch over children, especially when they're playing or participating in sports.
• Many hospitals and clinics now offer baseline concussion testing for athletes to help keep track of their recovery and make sure they can safely return to play after an injury.

Questions and Answers About Concussions

1. Is it possible to have a concussion and not pass out?

Yes. A lot of people who get concussions don't lose consciousness. Most concussions are mild and don't make you faint.

2. How long does it take to get better?

Most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks, although the recovery time can vary. Resting and gradually returning to your normal routine will help you heal more quickly.

3. Is it okay to let someone sleep after a concussion?

Yes, as long as they are awake, aware, and not getting worse. However, be sure to check on them periodically to see if anything has changed.

4. Can whiplash cause concussions?

Yes. When the neck or head jerks suddenly, like in a car accident, the brain can move inside the skull and cause a concussion.

5. Are kids more likely to get hurt?

Yes. Children and teenagers are at a higher risk because their brains are still developing, and it may take them longer to recover.

Conclusion

A concussion may not seem like a big deal, but if you don't take care of it right away, it can have serious effects on your brain. It's very important to recognize the warning signs, such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and sensitivity to light, and to seek medical help right away.

Hospitals play a crucial role in diagnosing patients' conditions, monitoring their health, and facilitating their safe recovery. Most people recover and return to their normal lives without any lasting effects if they take care of themselves, get enough sleep, and avoid contracting illnesses.

If you're not sure, get checked out. It's always better to be safe and see a doctor after a head injury than to ignore signs that could mean something is wrong.