Have you ever experienced a concussion or do you know someone who has? Do you know what a concussion is and what it entails? Do you know what some of the signs and symptoms are? Do you know how long these side effects of a concussion last? Are they permanent or can the effects of a concussion be reversed?
You may already know that a concussion occurs when the brain crashes into the skull from inside, during a fall or blow to the head. Each concussion and each person is different. Two people might experience identical falls down a flight of stairs, for example, but still display very different symptoms with their concussions. One may become very nauseated and dizzy, but remain conscious. The other may lose consciousness and become confused and forgetful. Both people in this example would need to be seen by a healthcare professional or a concussion specialist.
Most people who experience a concussion end up doing just fine. They seek medical attention and after a few days of resting easy at home under careful observation, they are fine. It is very important to take the exact number of days that your healthcare professional or concussion specialist suggests and use them for the rest and recuperation that your body needs! If you choose to ignore the advice set forth by your healthcare professional or concussion specialist and jump back into your busy lifestyle a day or so early, you run the risk of re-injuring the brain, and also suffering a repeat concussion. That would be an unpleasant setback and will start you again at square one in terms of rest and recuperation. What’s more, the side effects may be more severe or more persistent with repeat concussions.
For instance, people with a mild concussion may experience nausea, dizziness and headache. If they ignore the guidelines set forth by their healthcare professional or concussion specialist, return to their busy lives, and re-injure their brain, the side effects that they experience with a repeat concussion could be nausea that is more severe, vomiting, and more extreme dizziness, balance problems, and severe, persistent headache.
With a moderate to severe concussion there is the slight possibility that the usual suggested time and rest will not make the side effects go away completely. Common side effects of concussion are dizziness, headache, fatigue, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to light or sound, increase in irritability and memory problems. Sometimes these symptoms persist for months after the concussion, even if the concussed person has followed their healthcare professional’s advice to perfection. It is possible to underestimate a head injury, especially if the side effects don’t seem severe. If you have experienced a head injury which caused a concussion, and have followed your concussion specialist’s suggestions, but your symptoms have persisted for weeks or months, that means it is time to make a repeat appointment to see your healthcare professional or concussion specialist for further testing. It is possible that your brain was perhaps more seriously injured than originally thought.
If you have experienced a concussion, it is important to seek medical attention and to follow the guidelines set forth at discharge to promote a prompt recovery and to also avoid re-injury.