A concussion is an injury to the brain that occurs after you have a trauma or a blow to the head. Once you get a blow to the head, it is the back and forth movement of the brain as it hits the skull that causes the concussion. In Falls Church, Virginia, concussions commonly affect people who are involved in sports, but any person can suffer from a concussion after trauma to the head.
If you have had trauma to the head, you should present yourself to the doctor for an evaluation. Once you visit the doctor in Falls Church, concussion protocols will be followed. They will take a thorough medical history that helps to rule out other causes of your symptoms. The doctor will also do a neurological examination like testing your vision, hearing, memory, and other functions of the brain. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also order some imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan.
1. What Are The Symptoms Of A Concussion?
The symptoms of a concussion may be mild or severe, and their duration also varies. Some symptoms may develop immediately after the concussion, while others take several days before they appear. These symptoms include headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurring of vision, confusion, and ringing inside the ears. Sometimes you may experience dizziness over some time.
Sometimes you may have a temporary loss of consciousness after a concussion, where the person who was with you may report that you had a dazed appearance and slurred speech before passing out. You may also suffer from amnesia where you forget what happened before you got the concussion. Some of the delayed symptoms that can occur after you get a concussion include sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentration, and irritability.
Increased sensitivity to light and noise, changes in the sensations of taste and smell, and psychological problems like depression are other possible symptoms that develop some time after you get a concussion. A young child with a concussion can be irritable, cry excessively, have no interest in playing, vomit, and be unable to sleep or feed well. Visit a doctor when you get any of these symptoms to prevent complications.
2. What Are The Complications Of Concussions?
The complications of a concussion include post-traumatic headaches where you may continue to have headaches for more than a week after the concussion. Post-traumatic vertigo is another complication of concussions where you get a spinning sensation and dizziness that can last for more than a month after the concussion.
The post-concussion syndrome presents with headaches, impaired thinking, and dizziness that can last for more than three months after the concussion. Second impact syndrome develops when you get a second concussion before recovering from the first one. The subsequent concussion can injure your brain with fatal outcomes in some cases.
3. How Can You Prevent Concussions?
Since prevention is always better than cure, you can prevent the complications of a concussion by wearing protective headgear when engaging in sports like cycling and snowboarding. You can also prevent concussions by avoiding falls on slippery floors and watching where you step. Wearing a safety belt when in a car will protect you from getting a concussion in case there is an accident. Using window guards and blocking the stairways will keep your children safe.
Concussion Conclusion
In conclusion, a concussion is an injury to the brain that occurs when your brain moves back and forth hitting the skull. Falling and sports injuries are some of the most common causes of concussions. The symptoms of a concussion vary in severity and they include headaches, dizziness, and blurring of vision. Preventing falls and seeking medical attention after a blow to the head helps to avoid complications.
