Concussion Symptoms

17 Jun Concussion Symptoms

Concussions are a fairly common injury associated with vehicle accidents. Concussions can cause distressing physical and mental symptoms that may or may not be long-lasting. Understanding the symptoms of a concussion can help you determine whether or not you need to go see pain doctors Colorado Springs.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury. Concussions can impair the function of your brain and can lead to a number of unwanted symptoms that can affect cognition, balance, and coordination.

Concussions usually result from physical trauma, such as a strong blow to the head. Concussions can also result from the violent or spontaneous shaking of the upper body, head, or neck, as is often seen in whiplash.

A concussion may also cause the victim to temporarily fall unconscious, although this is not common. The majority of people who develop concussions recover fully from the symptoms and can continue to live fulfilling lives.

Symptoms of a Concussion

Concussion symptoms can vary. Some of them may be apparent immediately, others may not manifest for hours or days following the injury. The symptoms can then persist for a period of days or weeks. In serious cases, concussion symptoms can last months or even be permanent.

Concussion symptoms can be categorized as either mental or physical. It’s important to speak with pain doctors Colorado Springs if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms.

Physical Symptoms of Concussion

• Headaches and migraines
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Feeling dizzy
• “Seeing stars”
• Falling unconscious
• Sensitivity to light and noise (usually emerges days after the injury)
• Changes in other sensory input, such as with taste or smell

Mental Symptoms of Concussion

• Confusion and brain fog
• Memory loss and amnesia, especially surrounding the event that caused injury
• Forgetfulness, repeating the same sentence, or asking the same question
• Concentration issues that emerge days after the injury
• Changes in personality and emotional regulation (irritability, mood swings)
• Problems psychologically adjusting (can manifest as depression or anxiety)
• Changes in sleep habits
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response when answering questions

Managing a Concussion

If you have experienced any of the above symptoms following a traumatic injury then you should definitely contact pain doctors in Colorado Springs. They will be able to further assess your condition and help you prevent any permanent damage that might be done.

The best way to manage a concussion, however, is to prevent them in the first place. In regards to vehicle accidents, the best way to prevent a concussion is to make sure your seatbelt is buckled up and to practice vehicle safety.

Regular exercise can also help to strengthen the muscles in your body, thereby preventing you from being at risk of a concussion.

Conclusion

Concussions are head injuries caused by physical trauma. They can cause a number of mental and physical symptoms that can persist for days or weeks. Connect with pain doctors Colorado Springs if you’re worried that you or a loved one might have a concussion.