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Concussion and Your Brain: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Dec 9, 2018

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Brain injuries are incredibly scary. While concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, as continuing research has shown, concussions can cause serious harm, and repeated concussions can lead to brain disease down the road. It's important to know what the signs and symptoms of a concussion are, so that you can get the necessary treatment right away, and be aware of any side effects that may show up after the injury. While concussions are quite common, it's also important to know how to prevent them, especially while participating in activities that have a high risk for concussion. Instant care medical centers in Suffolk County, NY, should be able to diagnose and let you know the proper treatment in the case of a mild to severe concussion.

Signs of Concussion

Signs of a concussion can be difficult to see. Sometimes symptoms of a concussion don't show up for days or even weeks. Some signs last only a moment while others might linger for a long period of time. It's not necessary to show all the signs of a concussion to have one. Any of the following might be an indication of a brain injury:

  • Confusion or a dazed feeling
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Loss of concentration
  • Mood or behavior changes
  • Persistent headache
  • Sluggishness
  • Memory loss
  • Tinnitus

If you or someone you care about has experienced trauma to the head and then any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to go and get evaluated by a professional. Concussions are usually classified in three different levels with a grade one being the mildest and grade three the most severe. Depending on the severity of your concussion, the treatment will probably differ.

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Treatment of Concussion

Regardless of how severe the concussion seems, if you suspect a brain injury, seek medical attention. The doctor will evaluate the signs and symptoms and decide which grade the concussion is. If it's a grade three, they may want you to stay for evaluation. If it seems serious enough they may even want to do medical diagnostic imaging like a CT or MRI scan to make sure there is no bleeding in the brain. If the concussion is mild they may recommend taking non-aspirin medication for the pain and a follow-up visit if symptoms don't improve or worsen.

Preventing Concussion

While full recovery from a concussion is likely, repeated concussions can cause a cumulative effect on the brain. Scientists now suspect repeated concussions might be the cause of a degenerative brain disease that can cause serious behavior and personality changes and increase the risk of violent or self-harming behavior. Preventing repeated concussions is important. When participating in contact sports or activities with a risk of falling such as snow sports and biking, you should wear a quality helmet to protect your head. Buckle up when driving, and obey traffic laws.

If you suspect that you might have a concussion, go to https://www.pbmchealth.org/ to find your nearest medical center in Suffolk County, NY.