Caused by a blow or a jolt to the head, concussions range drastically in both severity and in healing time and contribute to about 2.5 million emergency room visits and 138 injury deaths (30 percent) each year. Automobile accidents account for about one-third of those injuries, and are the second leading cause of concussion-related deaths. If you have recently been in an accident, know what symptoms to look for, what the treatment may be, and what complications may result.
Concussion Symptoms
Symptoms of a concussion may not always be easy to spot or immediately present. As such, you should be especially diligent about tracking even minor symptoms, such as:
- Altered sense of taste or smell;
- A headache or a feeling of pressure in your head;
- Amnesia or memory loss surrounding the event;
- Any loss of consciousness;
- Confusion;
- Delayed response to questions;
- Depression;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Dizziness;
- Fatigue;
- Feeling of being dazed;
- Irritability or personality changes;
- Memory loss or disruptions;
- Nausea;
- Sensitivity to light or noise;
- Slurred speech;
- Trouble sleeping; and
- Vomiting.
Potential Complications
After a concussion, chemical levels in the brain are altered and can take about a week to improve. However, all other symptoms can take weeks or months to reside completely. Additionally, other secondary complications may arise, including:
- Epilepsy (an increased risk within the first five years of injury);
- Cumulative effects of multiple injuries (multiple concussions can have lasting and/or progressive impairment); and
- Second impact syndrome (rapid and often fatal brain swelling experienced if even a mild concussion occurs before the first has healed fully).
Concussion Treatment
In most cases, the best treatment after a concussion is physical and mental rest. This includes avoiding any form of physical exertion and activities like reading, video games, schoolwork, texting, and use of a computer. Once healing begins and symptoms improve, activities will gradually be reintroduced; however, you should still be extremely cautious, particularly when it comes to physical activities. Be sure to receive full clearance from your doctor before resuming full activities.
Get Help with Your Automobile Accident Case
If you have recently been in an accident, you may be due compensation to cover your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. However, these cases are often complex, injuries can be difficult to prove, and insurance companies will often attempt to minimize the damage. As such, accident victims should always seek the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney.
Committed to helping victims and their loved ones receive full compensation, [[title]] uses expert witnesses, highly developed investigative resources, and aggressive representation build a strong case against any and all negligent parties. Get the kind of representation you deserve. Call an experienced Appleton personal injury attorney or Green Bay personal injury attorney today at 920-739-7366 to schedule your free initial consultation today.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/treatment/con-20019272
http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html