Many people in New York can’t easily recognize the symptoms of a concussion, which means it often goes untreated, leading to significant consequences later. Whenever you get into an accident, fight, fall, or any other injury that affects your head, here’s how you can tell you have a concussion.
Understanding a concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can change the way your brain functions. It results from a sudden movement of the head or a forceful blow.
A concussion can be placed into three grades depending on the severity of the jolt or hit to the head:
- Grade I: This is where you experience no or very mild symptoms that go away quickly.
- Grade II: You get moderate symptoms that last longer, maybe just for a couple of days.
- Grade III: You suffer severe symptoms that last for weeks or longer.
Signs that you are suffering from a concussion
Concussion symptoms can appear after days or weeks from the day of the incident. Therefore, you must be keen to monitor yourself for any of the following signs:
- Physical reactions such as dizziness, nausea, balance problems, vomiting and interference with your body’s senses.
- An altered mental state like feeling confused, dazed or disoriented.
- Problems with your brain functions such as memory loss, slowed thinking and poor concentration.
- Changes in your mood like feeling irritable, anxious or depressed.
- Sleeping more than usual or having trouble getting some shut-eye.
What to do
If you think you might have a concussion, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms can worsen over time and lead to long-term problems if not treated early.
You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party for benefits that can help you cover your medical bills and lost wages. And if it occurred at your workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.
A concussion is a very serious medical condition. You should never ignore a sign even when it appears and goes after a few minutes or hours.