What is a concussion, and what are the most common concussion symptoms? For starters, a concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury that can be caused by anything from serious sports injuries in Brampton to a car accident or physical altercation. A concussion occurs when the brain is jarred against the inside of the skull, disrupting normal, typical brain functions. While many people believe concussions are not serious enough to warrant medical treatment, they can be extremely serious and should never be ignored.
But what makes any concussion so dangerous is the fact that the signs and symptoms are just as unique as the people they impact. Here’s a look at the unique symptoms of concussions for adults and children.
Concussion symptoms in adults
For adults, general concussion symptoms include headaches that will not go away, slow speech and decision making, changes in mood or behavior, changes in sleep patterns, sensitivity to light or sounds, becoming easily lost or confused and general difficulty in remembering or concentrating.
Concussion symptoms in children
Children are also susceptible to the damaging effects of concussions. These impacts can mean poor performance in school as well as changes in their general coordination. Here are a few signs to watch for if your child has had a serious jolt or head injury: a feeling of tiredness or restlessness, changes in mood or appetite, changes in sleep and play patterns, a loss of balance or steadiness, changes in performance in school or extracurricular activities and general irritability. Though any concussion is worthy of a doctor’s evaluation, children are at an increased risk of damage because their brains are still developing.
Regardless of the victim’s age, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate your condition immediately following a traumatic head injury. One key reason for doing so is that there are three grades of concussions, and only a doctor can adequately determine the severity of your individual situation:
- Grade 1: A grade 1 concussion is the least severe and results in no loss of consciousness on the part of the victim. Symptoms of a grade 1 concussion normally last around 15 minutes.
- Grade 2: A grade 2 concussion is more serious and results in no loss of consciousness for the victim, but the effects of the concussion last longer than 15 minutes.
- Grade 3: A grade 3 concussion is the most serious and often means a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or more.
A doctor should always determine whether or not your concussion is serious. Following a visit to the doctor, make sure to monitor children for any lasting concussion symptoms for as long as the doctor recommends.
It is important to remember that repeated concussions can result in lasting damage to the brain. For contact sports, like football, players susceptible to sports injuries in Brampton are often concussed repeatedly. This results in lifelong problems such as memory loss, mood imbalance and coordination problems. So how can you avoid a concussion or future concussion? Always wear protective equipment like helmets while participating in recreational activities, avoid altercations and exercise caution when involved in high-risk activities such as construction or home maintenance.
There is a paramount reason to protect your brain: you only have one! Visit Paramount Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic today for the help you need.