Brain concussion is an injury to the brain brought about by sudden, forceful acceleration of the brain against the head. When this kind of injury occurs, there is a rapid and often instant change in the functions of brain cells. These changes can cause headaches, difficulty with memory, concentration, balance, and even loss of consciousness. A concussion usually occurs in the area of the brain that is responsible for speech. However, it can also affect other parts of the brain. For example, it can affect the parts of the brain that control vision and movement.
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, differ from one person to another. Some people are fine; others suffer severe consequences. There are different types of these injuries. A concussion can be caused by a fall or blunt force to the head. Other causes can include playing sports involving repetitive head injuries or being exposed to deafening noises. When the damage is severe enough, people may experience a partial or complete loss of consciousness for a few minutes or hours.
Common signs and symptoms include headache, altered behavior, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and feeling unstable. When a person suffered a concussion after a motor vehicle accident, then there is a good chance that the injury will manifest itself in symptoms within a week. However, some people do not manifest any symptoms after the accident. Therefore, it is important to make sure that a doctor sees you if you suspect you have had a traumatic brain injury.
There are many different kinds of symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries. In addition to the signs and symptoms already mentioned, many diseases can be confused with TBI. Some of the more common diseases that can be confused with TBI include meningitis, brain tumor, seizures, and many others. Therefore, getting a proper medical evaluation is important if you suspect you have suffered a severe brain injury.
One more symptom that can occur after suffering from a TBI is a condition called a repeated concussion. Repetitive concussions can cause damage to the brain over again, which can cause permanent damage. In most cases, repetitive concussions will result in the onset of chronic traumatic amnesia, which means that people can no longer remember things that happened just before the concussion. It is also possible for people to suffer from a form of cerebral swelling called cerebral palsy. People who have cerebral palsy can have difficulty walking, talking, or moving.
Many people who suffer from Brain concussion have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), resulting in severe problems down the road, such as dementia and other mood disorders.
