Concussion: symptoms, causes, treatment and diagnosis

A blow to the head or a sudden movement can damage the state of our nervous system.

The cranial structure, in spite of being quite protected, is extremely susceptible to suffering an injury or accident that can cause serious damage or discomfort to the person who suffers it.

One of these accidents is known as concussion.which, in spite of the fact that in the majority of occasions it does not entail great damages, if the person does not maintain the rest and takes care of his health it can end up deriving in a multiple concussion or a syndrome of the second impact.

What is a concussion?

Concussion is the most common and also the mildest type of brain trauma. On a more technical level, the expression refers to a small loss of consciousness that does not last long and which may occur after an impact to the head, due to an injury or after a movement. after an impact to the head, due to an injury or after a movement in which the head and brain move back and forth very quickly. movement in which the head and brain move back and forth very quickly.

Although as a general rule, a concussion does not have to be fatal, it can cause a number of symptoms that can be life-threatening. can originate a series of symptoms of considerable importance, which must be treated with all possible care.which should be treated as soon as possible.

Likewise, this type of trauma can cause neuronal disorders without the need for an apparent structural lesion. After a brain seizure of this type, the brain is fleetingly blocked, loss of consciousness, confusion or memory disturbances may occur..

The fact that it is one of the most common brain accidents is due to the ease with which it can occur, since any fall, car accident, or any sport or daily activity that involves a lot of movement makes the person susceptible to suffering a concussion.

Symptoms of concussion

The symptomatology associated with concussion varies according to the person who suffers it and according to the severity of the injury. For example, although loss of consciousness is a very common symptom of concussion, not everyone who suffers a concussion passes out.

Similarly, a person may experience the following symptoms both immediately and within hours, or even days and weeks, after the accident.

The symptoms of concussion can be classified into three typesMild concussion symptoms, severe symptoms and symptoms that appear during the recovery process.

Mild symptoms

These are the most common symptoms following a concussion, although bothersome, they usually do not cause major problems.

• Fainting or short-term loss of consciousness.
• Memory disturbances.
• Confusion or disorientation
• Feeling of sleepiness.
• Dizziness.
• Vision problems.
• headaches
• nausea or vomiting.
• Photophobia or low tolerance to light.
• Lack of balance.
• Slow reaction times.

2. Severe symptoms

If the person experiences any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention urgently, as these are signs of a major concussion. These symptoms are:

• Altered alertness and consciousness.
• Continuous feeling of confusion.
• Epileptic seizures.
• Muscle weakness.
• Changes in pupil size.
• Strange eye movements.
• Frequent vomiting
• Difficulty walking or to maintain the balance.
• Prolonged unconsciousness or coma.

3. Symptoms during recovery

Finally, it is usual that the person presents a series of symptoms derived from the effects of the concussion which arise during the recovery period.

• Irritability or mood swings.
• Hypersensitivity to light or noise.
• Concentration problems.
• Mild headaches.

Causes and risk factors

As mentioned above, concussion can be the result of a blow or a fall in any context or performing any activity or an accident in any type of vehicle. or performing any activity or an accident in any type of vehicle.

Significant movement of the brain in any direction or orientation can result in a loss of consciousness for the person. Depending on the duration of this loss of consciousness, the severity of the shock will be greater or lesser.

However, a shock does not does not always lead to a blackoutSome people experience an alteration in visual perception that makes them see everything black or white. In the same way, a person may suffer a mild concussion and not be aware of it, since he/she does not experience any symptoms or, if he/she does, it is so mild that he/she does not associate it.

In addition, there are a number of risk factors, there are a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood that a person will suffer a concussion. These factors are:

• Being male.
• Children under 5 years of age.
• People between 15 and 24 years of age.
• People over 75 years of age.
• Contact sports activities..
• Trades related to construction or agriculture.
• Driving or traveling in a vehicle at high speed.
• Consumption of alcohol.
• Insomnia.
• Certain medications that induce or cause drowsiness.
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Diagnosis

When diagnosing a possible concussion, medical personnel should conduct a pre-diagnostic interview to obtain information about the type of injury and the symptoms the patient is experiencing.

Next, a physical examination is necessary to check the patient's condition, a physical examination is necessary to check the condition of the nervous system.. This examination includes the evaluation of reflexes, variations in pupil size, coordination and alertness.

Finally, depending on the patient's state of severity, a series of diagnostic tests and examinations will be performed. a series of tests and diagnostic examinations. These tests include:

• Computed tomography (CT).
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) in cases where seizures persist.

Treatment

The treatment of choice following a concussion will depend on the severity and extent of the symptoms. will depend on the severity and extent of the symptoms..

If the person suffers bleeding, swelling or severe brain damage, surgery may be necessary. However, this does not happen very often.

Analgesics are usually the prescribed medication most of the time, since the person only tends to have a series of somewhat uncomfortable headaches. The usual recommendations after suffering a concussion are:

• Rest.
• Observation of the affected person to detect possible complications.
• Do not engage in any type of sport or intense physical activity during the following 24 hours. during the following 24 hours.
• Do not drive any type of motorized or non-motorized vehicle after 24 hours.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Prognosis

Complete recovery from a concussion may take some time, extending over days, weeks or months. The problems or symptoms that appear during recovery tend to be short-lived, but the person may need help or assistance from others to perform certain daily activities.

However, it is possible that the person may suffer from it is possible that the person may suffer a multiple concussion while the first concussion is developing. while the first concussion is developing.

Multiple concussion

After suffering a first concussion, and if the instructions of health care personnel are not followed or if some type of sport or physical activity is not performed, the person is susceptible to suffering a second concussion.

This multiple concussion can cause a condition known as Second Impact Syndrome (SIDS).. Unlike the common concussion, the second impact syndrome increases the chances of suffering a major inflation of the brain, which does imply a risk of death.