Concussions are very serious injuries that have been brought into the limelight lately thanks to athletes who are speaking out against the dangers of this brain injury. Many people might not realize that there are a number of ways that a person can suffer a concussion.
You don’t have to be involved in an accident that results in a strong blow to the head to have a concussion. These can be caused by any violent motion of the head that results in the brain slamming against the inside of the skull. For example, if you fall and your head jerks on impact, you might suffer a concussion.
Anyone who has suffered an injury that involved a hit to the head or the head moving in a jerking motion should pay close attention for the signs of a concussion. Some of the immediate things you might notice that can point to a concussion include:
- Severe pain in the head
- Loss of consciousness
- Feeling sleepy or being hard to wake up
- Dizziness
- Nausea that might include vomiting
- Confusion
- Seizures
While those symptoms are likely to occur immediately, you might not always know that you have a concussion right away. Some concussions come with signs that show up later and may continue for as long as months after the incident. These include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mild nausea that is persistent
- A headache, even a mild one, that persists
- Irritability or moodiness
- Trouble with memory
- Changes in sleep habits
- Low energy or fatigue
- Vision changes or dizziness
If you notice any of these signs, you should seek medical care. You may need to take time off work to allow your brain to rest. If your head injury occurred at work, you should investigate your right to workers’ compensation.
