Could You Recognize a Concussion?

Concussions are brain injuries that occur after impact to the head. Concussions can happen in varying levels of severity from very mild, to very serious. They may go unnoticed because sometimes symptoms don’t show up right away. However, if a serious concussion is left untreated it can result in complications such as blood clots in the brain, permanent brain damage or a coma, so it is very important to know the signs of and symptoms in case someone in your care or proximity ever experiences one.

Main Symptoms to Look Out For

Some of the more significant signs of a concussion may include:

1. FOGGY and DAZED – the person may appear ‘out of it’ almost as if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may not respond sensibly to conversation or have the ability to concentrate on anything.
2. OFF KILTER – often concussion victims may be off balance, tripping up or veering in one direction when walking.
3. SPEECH PROBLEMS – another common indication of a concussion is problems with the person’s speech. Are they slurring or marbling their words?
4. MOOD CHANGES – the person may be giddy in one moment, and irritable and irate in the next. If the person is behaving out of character and appears agitated for no real reason, it could be a sign of a sustained concussion.
5. SLUGGISH and DROWSY – most concussion victims want to sleep, they are very drowsy and will keep trying to lie down for a nap, but this is very dangerous for someone who has sustained a concussion and could potentially lead to a coma. Try to keep them alert and awake until medical attention is available.
6. FAINT – is the person dizzy? Faint or weak? These could also be indications of a concussion.
7. NAUSEA – sometimes a person who has sustained a concussion will be nauseous and may even vomit repeatedly. Keep an eye out for this sign.
8. HEADACHE – A persistent low-grade headache can be a sign a person recently sustained a concussion.
9. ENLARGED PUPIL – a more obvious (and usually more serious) sign of a concussion is the appearance of one pupil being larger than the other.
10. LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS – lastly, if the person is drifting in and out of consciousness and not responding to verbal or physical prompting, seek emergency medical care right away as this is a sign of the most serious form of concussion that could lead to a coma if not addressed immediately.

There are other signs and symptoms as well depending on the age of the victim and the severity of the concussion including: neck pain, lethargy, blurred vision or lost of taste or smell.

The Importance of Seeking Help

If you suspect you or someone else has sustained a concussion, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible so a doctor can do the appropriate scans and tests to see if there is damage to the brain. If you have questions or concerns about head injuries, you can sign up today for a video conference with one of our highly qualified DocChat physicians. Thanks for visiting!