Concussions are some of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries. A concussion is a medical term used to describe the shaking or twisting of a person’s brain inside the skull following a significant blow to the head or severe whipping motion. While lighter blows to the head can be absorbed and dispersed by the brain’s surrounding cerebrospinal fluid, more severe trauma can cause the brain to shake and strike the sides of the skull wall, causing bruising and chemical changes in the brain.
Concussion injuries are a concern for athletes of contact sports such as football, boxing, and hockey, and have been prompted many athletes to retire early to prevent long-term brain damage. Concussions have made a considerable stir within recent year over their connection to the recently-discovered condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that can develop in individuals who experience repeated head trauma.
Concussions are also a common injury sustained in various types of accidents, such as vehicle collisions, slip and falls, construction accidents, and bicycle accidents. Despite being classified as a mild brain injury, concussions must be taken seriously as any damage to the brain can have lasting consequences.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
Concussion patients can experience a wide range of symptoms in the days and weeks following their injury, with varying severity depending on the force of impact sustained. Symptoms usually develop quickly and can worsen if left untreated. In severe cases, patients are sometimes required to undergo medical observation for days until symptoms subside.
Symptoms of concussions are classified into two categories:
- Physical symptoms: Physical symptoms can include headaches, nausea, inability to balance, light sensitivity, blurred or double vision, ringing ears, and sometimes seizures.
- Cognitive and emotional symptoms: Cognitive symptoms of a concussion can include confusion, inability to focus, irritability, memory loss, and difficulty sleeping.
Suffered a Preventable Concussion? Call (505) 219-2176
If you have suffered a concussion in an accident caused by another person’s or party’s negligence, Albuquerque Brain Injury Lawyer Michael J. Doyle can represent your interests and fight for compensation on your behalf. Having represented countless injured clients over more than 10 years or legal practice, we have what it takes to help you secure the financial recovery you deserve.
Get in touch with us online or schedule a free case review to get started towards filing a claim.