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Concussion

Concussion

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Concussion

Traumatic injuries to the head can result in a concussion—the brain slams into the skull, resulting in surface-level tissue damage. Concussions can also occur from the rocking of the head back and forth, resulting in injured brain tissue. This can be the result of sports, accidents, or a physical attack. Concussions can be considered a milder form of brain damage, but they can still result in unpleasant cognitive symptoms. After a bad head injury, you should see a doctor to check if you have a concussion. You can speak to representatives at Icon medical Centers to find out about different treatments for concussions.

Concussion Concussion Concussion

Mild Concussions

Mild concussions are labeled as Grade 1 injuries. This type of wound is considered mild because the symptoms last for less than 15 minutes. There is no loss of consciousness after a mild concussion. The symptoms linked to this type of concussion include headache, memory loss, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty focusing. Typically, you can go back to your normal lifestyle after a few days have passed since your injury.

Moderate Concussions

Moderate concussions are Grade 2 injuries, and the symptoms can last longer than 15 minutes. You will not experience loss of consciousness with this injury. A moderate concussion can cause brief amnesia, confusion, irritability, dizziness, and ringing in your ears. These symptoms are usually reversible, and the brain tissue heals within a few days or weeks of rest.

Severe Concussions

Severe concussions are Grade 3 and involve a loss of consciousness. Even if the loss of consciousness is only a few seconds, this can be linked to a life-threatening injury. Sometimes the symptoms are permanent, but in most cases, the recovery time requires over two weeks before you can return back to normal. You may experience symptoms such as vomiting, amnesia for longer than a 24-hour period, and difficulties with speech. Another common symptom is seeing stars. You may also have difficulty concentrating and a “brain fog”.

Extreme Concussions

Grade 4 concussions are more extreme and happen when a loss of consciousness lasts longer than one minute. These concussions can be symptomatic of a deeper internal injury, such as edema or a hematoma. After a Grade 4 concussion, you may have mood swings and become very irritable. You may see changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping more or less. It can be difficult for you to think and concentrate; brain processes may feel slowed down. Other symptoms include headache, blurry vision, vomiting, and nausea.

Steps For Recovery From A Concussion

When you experience a concussion, you will pass through several stages before you reach full recovery.

Light Exercise Phase

At this stage, you can begin gentle fitness exercises at a slow pace. This helps increase your heart rate without putting strain on your brain. Eventually, you can do specific sport exercises that don’t involve any head impact activities. Non-contact sports such as jogging and swimming can help improve your coordination and thinking while you recover from your injuries.

Medical Clearance

After your doctor is fully confident that you are back to normal, you can begin to participate in your normal activities.

If symptoms return, your doctors may push you back to a previous stage to help reduce the amount of damage or impact on your current injuries. There may be some delay between stages to allow your doctor to review how well you are improving. After a concussion, your doctor may also wait a week before performing a cognitive test to ensure no unexpected symptoms show up days after your initial injury.

Acute Phase

This is when you are recently injured and require immediate physical and mental rest. You will have to reduce the amount of focus required for mental demands and avoid work requiring memory and concentration. You can perform a symptom-limited activity, and you will be able to do work or school activities that don’t aggravate your symptoms.

Recovery Phase

When you begin to feel physical improvement, this is the recovery phase. Your doctors may require you to take neurocognitive tests to monitor your progress. If headaches subside and your test stores increase, then you can gradually begin engaging in work that requires higher-level thinking and athletic activities.

Find Out More On Concussions

When you receive a blow to the head and begin to experience mild symptoms, you shouldn’t just shake it off. Even dizziness or a headache can be a sign of a much more serious injury. You can talk to a medical representative to get reviewed for concussion injuries. If you are diagnosed with a mild or severe concussion, you can review your options for a recovery strategy. To get started, call Icon Medical Centers for more information.

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