10 Symptoms of Concussion

When you injure yourself due to any form of trauma to the head, you can get a concussion. Concussions are prevalent, with over three million cases in the United States each year. There is no cure, but there are treatments that can help. When you get a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. You should take time off from regular activities and take it easy for a few days. Ask your doctor for pain medication following head trauma.

A headache

If you get a headache after trauma, be careful. If the pain persists and develops into an intense headache, seek medical attention to determine if you have a concussion. Symptoms include sharp pain, stabbing pains, throbbing, or pressure that radiates in various parts of your head, neck, and shoulders. Keep in mind that all injuries to the head require immediate medical attention.

Disorientation

If you feel disoriented or confused, you might have a concussion. Immediately after a head injury has occurred, you might feel woozy. If the feeling persists for several hours or gets worse, seek medical attention immediately.  When the brain experiences trauma, takes a few days for it to recover. This is one of the brain’s many defense mechanisms, protecting it from more severe injury.

Nausea

Nausea is yet another concussion symptom caused by the pain associated with a head injury. Researchers believe a chemical imbalance following any type of trauma triggers nausea. Your doctor might prescribe pain medication, but nausea and other symptoms typically go away on their own when your head has healed.

Vomiting

Vomiting is a common symptom following a concussion. Often, vomiting occurs during many health problems, and it is your body’s way of telling you something is off. Chemical imbalances trigger vomiting when you take a blow to the head. Of course, you probably vomited after the accident if you have a concussion following dizziness or feelings of disorientation.

Dizziness

A concussion causes the sensation of dizziness. Perhaps you feel disoriented when you stand up too quickly, or the room starts to spin. Dizziness is a dangerous symptom, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. You may feel fine just before a dizzy spell.  To avoid further injury, take it easy after any kind of blow or injury to the head. Give yourself a chance to heal.

Memory Loss

Memory loss, also known as amnesia, sometimes accompanies a concussion. Your brain takes a back seat to everyday functions and processes. This withdrawal causes temporary memory loss. Permanent amnesia occurs in extreme situations with very serious injuries. The memory loss may include anything that occurred immediately after the injury. Normal memory functions typically return when your brain heals.

Fatigue

A concussion causes deep fatigue, especially if you have one after an injury. Fatigue accompanies many different conditions and injuries besides concussions. If your fatigue persists after a good night’s sleep, see a doctor right away. She can tell you if it’s safe to take over-the-counter medication to feel yourself again.

Ringing Ears

If your ears start ringing after a head injury, it’s a symptom of a concussion. Nausea, headache or dizziness usually accompany it. Your ears start to ring if your injury results from shaking or rattling, which can affect the eardrums. This impacts your balance, and many patients report a loss of depth perception as well. All of these symptoms should dissipate on their own as the brain begins to heal.

Slurred Speech

Concussion symptoms often follow a blow to the head, so if you find yourself slurring your speech, seek medical attention immediately. When you injure your brain, it weakens the muscles that can control your voice. It can take time for your voice to return to normal, and you may also feel dizzy and disoriented. If the slurred speech continues for more than a couple of days, schedule a follow-up appointment with your physician.

Loss of Concentration

Losing your ability to concentrate and a temporary feeling of confusion often accompany a concussive blow to the head. If you feel dazed, that is a milder form of the same symptom. Patients suffering from a concussion find it difficult to concentrate. If you feel like your mind wandering more than usual, seek medical attention right away. This symptom may include staring out a window, blanking out, walking into a room with a particular purpose in mind, forgetting to answer a question when asked or losing your train of thought.