Can You get a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head?
Can You get a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head?
People can sustain a head injury in a variety of ways. Typically, we think of concussions occurring when a person strikes their head against another object, but that is not always how these injuries happen.
Concussions happen even if a person’s head does not come into contact with anything else. Below, we will take a look at how these types of head injuries occur and the importance of medical attention if you suspect you or a loved one has sustained a concussion.
How a Concussion Happens Without Hitting the Head
Concussions are typically caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. However, these injuries can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.
But why would this even cause a concussion in the first place? Have you ever sustained an injury where your body was rapidly jerked back and forth in a whiplash motion? Think about car accidents or contact sports.
When the body undergoes this type of trauma, the head is also whipped back and forth. This mechanism of injury can lead to the brain also moving around inside the skull. The brain is not set right up against the skull inside of our head.
It has room to move around and does so anytime the head is jolted back and forth or side to side. If the bump or blow to the body is forceful enough, this could cause the brain to slam up against the inside of the skull.
In severe cases, the brain could hit one side of the skull, rebound, and strike the other side of the skull, resulting in injuries to multiple sides of the brain.
Concussion Symptoms People Need to Know
From playing sports to motor vehicle accidents, people who sustain violent bumps, blows, or jolts to the body need to be aware that they could experience some sort of brain trauma.
This may seem unlikely if the head is not initially affected by the incident, but individuals and the people around them need to be aware of the most common concussion symptoms.
Anytime a person sustains a suspected concussion, they need to go to the doctor and speak to medical professionals. There are certain steps that individuals can take to help ensure that they recover fully from these mild traumatic brain injuries.
Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Trouble thinking or remembering, including a foggy type of feeling
- Headaches that worsen overtime or do not go away
- Issues with loud noises or bright lights
- Emotional issues such as irritability, nervousness, or sadness
- Sleeping patterns disrupted, including sleeping more or less than usual
- If you lose consciousness
- Unequal pupil dilation of any kind
Individuals who sustain concussions typically make a recovery within a week or two after the incident occurs. Still, continued activity during what should be a rest period could make symptoms worsen into a moderate to severe injury.
Common Concussion Myths
Concussions are often misunderstood. Let’s address some common myths and clarify the differences between concussions and other brain injuries.
Myth 1: You need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Reality: While loss of consciousness can occur with a concussion, it’s not necessary for diagnosis. Many people experience concussions without ever losing consciousness.
Myth 2: You need to rest in a dark room or else the symptoms persist. Reality: While initial rest is important, prolonged inactivity can slow recovery. Current guidelines recommend a gradual return to physical activity under medical supervision.
Myth 3: Concussions only happen in contact sports. Reality: While common in sports, concussions can occur in many situations, such as a car crash, fall, or any incident causing rapid head movement.
Myth 4: If you can remember things, you don’t have a concussion. Reality: Memory loss is just one possible symptom. Many people with concussions maintain full memory brain function.
Myth 5: Helmets prevent concussions. Reality: While helmets reduce the risk of severe brain injuries, they don’t eliminate the risk of concussions, especially those caused by rotational forces.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury vs. Other Brain Injuries
It’s important to understand how concussions differ from other types of brain injuries:
- Severity: Concussions are typically classified as mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). They’re usually not life-threatening, unlike moderate or severe TBIs.
- Structural damage: Concussions generally don’t cause visible structural damage on standard imaging tests, while more severe TBIs often do.
- Recovery time: Most people recover from concussions within days to weeks, whereas recovery from moderate to severe TBIs can take months or years, and may result in permanent brain damage.
- Symptoms: While there’s overlap, severe TBIs may cause more profound symptoms like extended loss of consciousness, seizures, or a watery discharge from the ears or nose.
- Treatment: Many concussions usually require rest and a gradual return to activities. More severe TBIs often need intensive medical care and long-term physical therapy.
Understanding these differences plays into proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of brain injuries. Always consult a healthcare provider if you suspect any type of brain injury, regardless of perceived severity or physical symptoms.
Brain Injury? Talk to a Lawyer About Your Case Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion or any type of brain injury – whether from a car accident, sports incident, workplace injury, or any other cause – it’s crucial to understand your rights and options.
Even if there was no direct impact to your head, you may still be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Speak to an injury lawyer at Bentley & More LLP so they can look at your case and help you move forward with your life.