When people think about concussions, they are drawn to severe cases of abrupt brain injury which often leave individuals in a clear state of physical and mental injury. Millions of Americans are affected by concussions every year; however, the levels of severity are often overlooked. Many would be quick to dismiss the signs of a mild concussion due to an acuteness of the symptoms individuals display.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury brought about by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to rapidly jolt within the skull (CDC). The jolting of the brain makes the individual with such an injury vulnerable to chemical changes in the brain and brain cell damage (CDC). All levels of concussion severity revolve around this very same process of injury; however, the subsequent symptoms indicate the degree of injury. Concussions are signified on a three-level scale – mild, moderate, and severe (Carrus Health). A mild concussion is not easily noticeable compared to the other levels within the scale. A mild concussion is the only level of severity on the scale that does not result in the injured individual losing consciousness (Carrus Health). Thus, a mild concussion is hard to detect from the onset of the injury.
To notice the possibility of a mild concussion, an individual must make sure not to disregard any potential warning signs after receiving a blow to the head. Symptoms generally differ depending on the person with the injury and may even have a delayed onset of up to a few days after receiving the concussion (CDC). Typical symptoms of mild concussions that are disregarded include the following: fatigue, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and attention problems (CDC). However, prime indicators when attempting to diagnose a mild concussion include dizziness, light sensitivity, and nausea.
For clarity on a diagnosis after picking up on symptoms, individuals should speak with their healthcare provider. Medical personnel can then conduct neuropsychological and neurocognitive tests that evaluate an individual for problems in learning, concentration, memory, and problem-solving (CDC). Recovery from a mild concussion typically takes a couple of weeks on its own; however, if symptoms prolong or worsen, individuals should once again refer to their healthcare provider as soon as possible to avoid sustaining further injury. During the recovery period, one should avoid physical activities, such as contact sports, that may potentially aggravate the injury further until symptoms subside.
Thus, after receiving a blow to the head or body, individuals should be on the lookout for any warning signs of a mild concussion – even if no severe indications of injury appear. To clarify diagnosis, one should refer to their healthcare provider and correlating medical personnel. It is imperative to remain cognizant of the persistence of symptoms to ensure the injury does not worsen over time.
Sources:
“Concussion Signs and Symptoms.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html.
“Signs and Symptoms of the 3 Different Grades of Concussion.” Carrus Health - Corporate Site, iHealthSpot Digital Marketing, 25 Feb. 2022, www.carrushealth.com/2020/02/07/signs-and-symptoms-of-the-3-different-grades-of-concussion/.
“Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Apr. 2023, www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/concussion/symptoms.html.
“Mild TBI and Concussion.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Nov. 2022, www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/concussion/index.html.
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