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We hear a lot these days about concussions in sports and the concussion protocols the major sports leagues use to treat athletes when they suffer a head injury. Concussions are a potential injury in sports, whether it is an outfielder banging into the left-field wall or a football player taking a significant hit, but concussions are also very common in auto accidents, workplace accidents, and other personal injuries such as slips or falls. If you suffer a concussion, it’s essential to be treated quickly by doctors who specialize in head injuries and trauma to the brain.
If you’ve been in an accident, symptoms of head trauma and concussion can show up right away or take hours or days to appear. It can be easy to dismiss some signs of concussion, but if you experience a head injury, you should seek medical help. A neurologist can test for concussion symptoms and provide a concussion protocol to help in your care.
For instance, say you’ve been in a car crash and walked away without noticing any “severe” injuries. However, soon after, you don’t feel like your normal self. Maybe it’s a minor headache or sense of “brain fog” or trouble sleeping or focusing at work. These can be signs of a concussion. Concussion symptoms vary and range from very minor — almost not apparent — to much more severe and obvious. In sports, you’ve probably seen players who battle with their coaches to remain in the game, only to be diagnosed with a concussion shortly after. It’s no different after an auto or work accident — your instinct may be to keep on with your daily routine, but your brain is delicate, so don’t delay getting checked for any type of head injury.
A concussion is a brain injury that prevents your brain from working the way it usually does. This sensation can last for a short time or become more permanent. A concussion often happens when there is impact or trauma to the head, or the brain suffers shaking in the skull. The shaking can cause tears in nerve tissue or internal bruising and bleeding. When you see a pain doctor, they will likely grade your concussion based on severity:
The National Football League and Major League Baseball both get a lot of attention for their concussion protocols. Still, the most common cause of head injuries is motor accidents and falls. Nearly 300,000 traumatic brain injuries occur annually in car accidents, and motorcycle or bike accidents cause even more. Slips and falls and being hit by something at work also can cause severe head trauma. Initial concussion symptoms can last just days or weeks, but even mild concussions may last up to a year. This risk is why it’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis and follow the concussion recovery protocol established by your pain doctor.
Symptoms of head trauma vary widely and may not present immediately after an accident. Here are some of the more common symptoms you may have experienced severe head trauma:
These are only a few of the symptoms which may appear with concussions, and for many people, symptoms won’t show up immediately or seem “severe” enough to see a doctor. If you suffer a head injury, it’s always essential that you visit a doctor as soon as possible — no matter how minor the damage may seem.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you must seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room:
Your pain physician will prescribe a concussion protocol to help you in your recovery. Avoiding any other injuries to your head is essential. Preventing re-injury is one reason why sports teams take players out of games and place them on injured reserve lists as they heal. Rest is vital, as is slowing down your everyday routine. Talk to your pain doctor about ways you can adjust your schedule to give yourself the rest and care your injury will need. It may involve giving your brain some extra “time off” from activities that take a lot of brainpower and avoiding alcohol or other substances. Your doctor will also advise you when it’s safe to drive your car, ride a bike or return to work.
The bottom line: Head injuries are nothing to take lightly, as they can develop into severe, long-lasting issues if not properly treated. If you or a loved one suffers a head injury, get the emergency medical care you need immediately, and then contact Excelsia Injury Care. We have a team of experienced and friendly physicians to help you recover, including specialists in concussion and brain trauma.