Concussions are like any other brain injury, but they are incredibly unpredictable. A headache may not be just a headache, but rather a symptom of a concussion. A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a sudden blow to the head or to the body. The blow shakes the brain, surrounded by fluid and protected by the skull which temporarily prevents the brain from working normally.There are many ways to get a concussion including fights, falls, playground injuries, car crashes and bike accidents.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
Concussion symptoms range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months with post-concussion symptoms lasting for years.Symptoms of a concussion include:- Passing out.
- Not being able to remember what happened after the injury.
- Acting confused, asking the same question over and over, slurring words, or not being able to concentrate.
- Feeling lightheaded, seeing stars, having blurry vision, or experiencing ringing in the ears.
- Not being able to stand or walk; or having coordination and balance problems.
- Feeling nauseous or throwing up.
Are There Different Types Of Concussions?
Many different concussion grading scales have been created to help doctors gauge what level of concussion a person has. Generally, concussions are graded depending on the length of time you lose consciousness. For example, a 1997 scale developed by the American Academy of Neurology assigned concussion grades this way:- Grade 1 Concussions Grade 1 concussions include no loss of consciousness and confusion symptoms usually last less than 15 minutes.
- Grade 2 Concussions There is still no loss of consciousness, but the symptoms last longer than 15 minutes.
- Grade 3 Concussions These are the most serious types of concussions. A loss of consciousness occurs and lasts either seconds or minutes.