Millions of adults and children experience concussions every year, whether from slips and falls or injuries while playing sports. Unfortunately, it’s this prevalence that mistakenly causes so many to think that concussions don’t have serious consequences. The truth is, even if you don’t lose consciousness, concussions can cause injury to the brain. From mild to severe, these injuries must be addressed in order to minimize their impact on important functions in the body.
If you or someone you know has experienced a concussion, it’s important to look for the TBI symptoms below. However, keep in mind that even though these symptoms are the most common, there can be many others. For those who just don’t “feel right” after a concussion, it’s always best to err on the side of caution rather than brush off your instinct that something is wrong.
Symptoms of a Mild TBI
– Trouble Remembering
– Mood Changes
– Behavior Challenges
– Dizziness
– Headaches
– Confusion
– Nausea/Vomiting
– Tired/Fatigued
– Blurred Vision
– Trouble Sleeping/Sleeping too Much
– Problems Concentrating
Symptoms of a Severe TBI
– Constant Vomiting/Nausea
– Slurred Speech
– Arm/Leg Numbness
– Loss of Consciousness for an Extended Period of Time (3+ Hours)
– Trouble Waking Up
– Constant Headaches that Get Worse Over Time
What Causes These Symptoms?
When someone suffers a blow to the head, it can impact the brain’s ability to manage just about every function that helps keep them up and running. It’s easy to see why, as the brain is the main control center for the entire body and is responsible for managing your vision, movement, breathing, thinking, emotions, and behavior. With so much to do, any interruption caused by an injury can result in problems that prevent different functions from working like they’re supposed to.
While initially, you may not notice the symptoms of the TBI, over time they may begin to play more of a role in your everyday life. For example, at first, you might feel more tired than usual or have trouble controlling your emotions. However, after a few months, you may begin to lash out rather than rationalize and have trouble remembering where you put things. For each individual, the severity and frequency of the symptoms will vary, so it’s difficult to tell how things will be for you, specifically.
Where to Go For Help
After experiencing a concussion (or any blow to the head), it’s important to have a medical professional examine you. However, follow-up care is an important step in recovery. By working with a functional neurologist, you can learn exactly how the brain was impacted during the injury and begin utilizing solutions that can get your brain back on track. Even if your concussion occurred years ago, this can help reduce your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse over time. Your brain is a complex organ, but with the help of the right solutions and a highly trained professional, you can work toward improved functionality after injury.