Following a car accident, it is possible to suffer from a concussion. In this case, it is important to know what causes a concussion as well as the symptoms that are associated with one.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or other incident that causes the brain to shake inside of the skull. Normally the fluid surrounding the brain serves as a cushion to prevent the brain from banging into the skull, but a jarring motion can set activities in motion that cause the brain to crash into the hard bone of the skull. While the person may not lose consciousness and there may be no visible signs of a brain injury, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury from which it may take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few weeks to recover.
What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
The symptoms of a concussion fit into four main categories. These include:
- Thinking and Remembering
- Physical
- Emotional and Mood
- Sleep
Symptoms within the Thinking and Remembering category include not thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, inability to concentrate and inability to remember new information. Symptoms within the Physical category include nausea and vomiting, headache, fuzzy and blurry vision, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems and feeling tired. Emotional and Mood symptoms include feeling sad, nervous or anxious or being easily upset or angered. Sleep symptoms may include sleeping more or less than usual or having a hard time falling asleep.
If you or someone you care about has been involved in a car accident, getting checked for a possible concussion is vital. Contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more.