What is a Minor Concussion?
What is a Minor Concussion?
You have heard of concussions, but do you actually understand how severe they can be? Even a minor concussion can lead to significant long-term consequences if the injury goes unnoticed or is not properly treated. Here, we want to discuss minor concussions as well as the steps that you can take to ensure that you are properly cared for after these injuries occur.
Understanding Concussions
Concussions are typically considered non-life-threatening, even though they are classified as traumatic brain injuries. That said, these are considered minor traumatic brain injuries. So, what is a minor concussion? If a concussion is already a minor traumatic brain injury, is a minor concussion even something to worry about?
The answer is, yes, any type of concussion is worthy of immediate medical care. The reality is that we cannot see into our heads without assistance from medical professionals. There is no way to tell whether or not a concussion is minor or more severe. In fact, there is often no immediate way to tell whether or not a person has sustained a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. In some cases, individuals sustain bumps or blows to the head and have no symptoms at all for hours after the incident.
Symptoms of concussions typically involve difficulties thinking or remembering and feeling somewhat “foggy” mentally. Individuals can experience headaches and have difficulty with bright lights or loud noises. Concussion symptoms can also include irritability, nervousness or sadness, as well as sleep disturbances.
Those who sustained minor concussions may not even have many symptoms at all, though moderate to severe concussions may take a few weeks to heal. Regardless of the level of concussion, doctors are always going to recommend that individuals significantly limit their activities. This includes physical activity as well as “screen time,” as looking at a TV, computer, or phone screen could delay the recovery process. At the recommendation of a doctor, individuals may also be able to take over-the-counter pain medications to help alleviate some of the concussion symptoms.
Be Ready to go Back to the Doctor
In the event any concussion symptoms begin to worsen, individuals need to be ready to go back to the doctor or the emergency room. Sometimes, swelling or bleeding underneath the skull is not immediately understood or apparent after an injury occurs. Even a doctor who diagnoses someone with a minor concussion may get the diagnosis wrong.
If you have sustained a concussion, we encourage you to be on the lookout for any worsening symptoms, and we also encourage you to alert friends or family members about the concussion so they can be aware of symptoms to look out for as well.
Any person who experiences one pupil larger than the other, any loss of consciousness, or any unusual behavior needs to be taken to the hospital right away. Other signs and symptoms that could indicate that a minor concussion has gotten worse include worsening headaches, coordination problems, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, and seizures. Once you have received medical attention, it is imperative you speak to a Riverside injury lawyer.