What You Need to Know About Concussions

Specialists define concussions as mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) that occur from a whip-lash type of injury. This is any hit in the head that causes a sudden back and forth brain-shake, rendering you unconscious.

Anyone can get a concussion after a car accident, a fall, or sustaining a severe blow in the face during football or boxing. People playing these high contact sports are at higher risks of getting concussions.

Generally, concussions are not life-threatening. However, they can lead to symptoms that need immediate medical treatment at the emergency room Waxahachie.

Also, note that concussions differ from contusions. Concussions have a direct effect on the brain, while contusions are bruises. These are head bruises that occur in the head but resolve in several days.

Recognizing Concussion Symptoms

Concussion symptoms are dependent on the severity of the impact and the person injured. Some concussions can cause a loss of consciousness while others do not.

Keep in mind that concussion signs and symptoms can be very mild and take some time to show. They can even last for days, weeks, and months. Still, there are the common symptoms that need emergency care facilities at the Altus Emergency Center to not develop into anything serious.

The most common symptoms are headache, amnesia, and confusion. The amnesia is mostly a memory loss of the cause of the concussion.

Physical signs include:

• Headache
• Ringing ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigues and uncomfortable drowsiness
• Blurred vision

You may also get:

• Feelings of confusion like you’re in a fog
• The amnesia that erases the cause of the concussion
• Dizziness (seeing stars)

As a witness, you may observe these symptoms in a concussed person.

• Temporary unconsciousness (not very common)
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response, especially when asked questions
• Dazed appearance
• Forgetfulness, like asking a question repeatedly

Symptoms that occur several days after the impactful injury include:

• Poor concentration and memory complaints
• Irritability and personality changes
• Sensitivity to loud noise and light
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression and psychological problems

Symptoms in Babies

If you suspect the slightest signs of a concussion in a baby, get to the nearest emergency room immediately. It can be challenging to recognize these symptoms in babies as they wnt exhibit slurred speech or difficulty walking and as you’d expect to see in adults. Children also cannot describe how they feel.

Concussion symptoms in children involve:

• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Drowsiness
• Fluid drainage from the ears, nose, or mouth
• Balance loss and unsteady walking
• Loss of interest in their favorite toys
• Excessive crying
• Seizures

A concussion will rarely result in permanent brain damage. Most babies recuperate from concussions, but it’s crucial to have them checked out at our 24-hour emergency care, especially if the baby is unconscious.

When to See a Doctor

If you suspect that someone has a concussion, immediately seek emergency care facilities. If it occurs during a sport or game practice, have the athletic coach call a doctor immediately.

Concussions are severally accompanied by spine and neck injuries. If you suspect this, avoid moving the injured person and request emergency ambulance help. You can move the person very carefully if you must. However, try to keep the neck as still as possible as you move them to avoid inflicting further damage to the spine.

How are Concussions Treated

Concussion’s treatments vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. Surgery might be necessary if you exhibit any of the following symptoms.

• Bleeding of the brain
• Bran swell
• A severe brain injury.

Most concussions do not need surgery or other major medical procedures.

If the concussion’s primary effect is headaches, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter painkillers like Advil and Tylenol.

As part of the Waxahachie ER treatment, your doctor might need that you take some rest and a break from sports and strenuous activities for 24 hours or several months. You might also need to avoid driving or riding a bike for some weeks or months until the symptoms are entirely gone.

Prevention

We recommend the following tips to help avoid the risk of sustaining a head injury in our everyday activities.

• Wear protective gear during sports and in recreational activities
• Always buckle your seatbelt while driving
• Keep your home well-lit and clear the corridors and floor of anything that can cause you or your child to trip and fall.
• Block the stairways and install window guards to prevent children from falling
• Regular exercise strengthens your body muscles and improves balance and stamina.
• Educate others on concussions