Knowing the Signs of a Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic injury to the brain that is caused by a blow or sudden jolt to the head. It can also be brought on when you suffer a blow to the body that causes your head and brain to move back and forth quickly. If you incur a major bump to your head and don’t lose consciousness, don’t assume it isn’t a concussion; this type of injury can take place without becoming unconscious at all.

In general, the signs and symptoms of concussion are apparent almost immediately after a head injury, but the severity of the injury may not be noticeable at first. In fact, some symptoms may not develop for a few hours or even days. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to certain behaviors immediately after sustaining a head injury, as well as in the days that follow.

There are several signs and symptoms of a concussion, including:

• Inability to recall events that happened before and immediately after impact to the head
• Feeling dazed or stunned
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Mental fogginess and difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Being bothered by light or noise
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• General sadness or feeling “down”

If a concussion is suspected, it’s important that you immediately be evaluated for the above symptoms, as well as receive a focused neurological exam. That’s because if a concussion is left undiagnosed, you put yourself at risk of developing a potentially fatal injury called second impact syndrome should you incur a second head injury before the first one has healed.
It can be difficult to determine when the brain has completely healed from a concussion. Even after you are completely symptom-free, your doctor may recommend additional testing to determine how well your brain is functioning. This, in conjunction with a routine exam, can greatly reduce future risks.

Do you want to learn more about the symptoms of a concussion? Contact Napa Vacaville Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics.
For more information about detecting a concussion, contact us today.  You can reach us directly at 707.258.2547 in Napa or 707.446.6206 in Vacaville.