There are two types of concussions: those that are moderate and those that are severe. Short-term effects of Concussion are possible, lasting only a few hours or days, as are long-term consequences.
A concussion occurs when the brain and skull hurry back and forth in a whiplash-like pattern due to a severe blow to the head. The abrupt movement causes the brain to bounce and twist about inside the skull, causing the delicate cells and structures inside your brain to be stretched and damaged. Your brain may undergo physical and chemical changes due to this trauma, which may alter its ability to operate.
Gregory Hawryluk, MD, neurosurgeon and concussion specialist at the University of Utah Health, is concerned about the long-term effects of concussions since they result in a brain lesion at some level. These relatively modest strikes to the skull, when they’re cumulative, may lead to depression and behavioral change. As a result, we believe that some suicides may be linked to the brain damage that follows repeated concussions.
Short Term Effects of a Concussions
Symptoms of a concussion include a headache and a loss of focus. Some people suffer from memory loss and can’t recall what happened. When a person loses consciousness, they may or may not suffer from amnesia.
Concussions can induce more than just a sense of instability or disorientation.
- Migraine
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- A temporary loss of consciousness
- Feeling as if your brain is in a fog
- Delayed response to questions
- Sensitivity to light and sound
Toddlers, who are just learning to walk, run, and play, are particularly prone to head injuries. Children’s short-term effects may be challenging to detect since they may not be able to explain their feelings. Nonverbal signs of a concussion include the following:
- Loss of balance
- Unsteady walking
- Listlessness
- Tires easily
- Appearing bewildered
- Irritability, crankiness
- Excessive sobbing
Long Term Effects of a Concussions
However, after the traumatic brain damage, some concussion symptoms begin to emerge. These symptoms include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
- Disorders of smell and taste
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Irritability and other personality changes
- Depression and other psychological problems
Concussion-related long-term consequences are pretty rare. For the most part, any symptoms subside in a matter of weeks. Post-concussion syndrome, in which symptoms persist for six weeks or more, affects only approximately 20% of people who have had a concussion. However, if you don’t give your brain enough time to heal between injuries, you’re more likely to experience long-term problems the more concussions you get.
When to See a Doctor for Concussion?
Even if you or your kid does not require emergency treatment, you should consult a doctor within one to two days of sustaining a head injury to lessen the risk of long-term problems linked with concussions.
Related Posts: When to know if you have Whiplash?
