Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can be caused by a blow or bump to the head, or rapid movement of the head in a back and forth motion. As most car accidents are events where those mechanisms are common, concussions are, unfortunately, not an uncommon injury after an accident.

A concussion can be mild in nature, where an injured person eventually experiences recovery of symptoms within a few weeks. In this case, medical professionals may classify it as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In other cases, a concussion can be moderate in nature, where symptoms persist for a few months and where post-concussion disorder may develop. In these cases, a person can experience improvement with some symptoms over time, but then have other symptoms, such as headaches or memory problems, linger. Concussions can also be severe. Severe concussions are often the result of a hard blow and, more often than not, involve a loss of consciousness. In severe cases, debilitating concussion symptoms can persist for years.

Whether mild, moderate, or severe, concussions are a serious injury, as they change the way a brain normally works. Unfortunately, concussions often go undiagnosed and, as such, untreated. This occurs for a number of reasons. First, while some concussions involve a loss of consciousness, most do not. Further, most concussions cannot be identified through diagnostics, such as a CT scan or an MRI. Further, concussion symptoms may not appear immediately following an injury and can develop over the course of a few days or weeks. Finally, many signs and symptoms of concussions are not obvious and, as such, go unnoticed, or are mistakenly attributed to being a side effect of a physical injury. For these reasons, it is important to be aware of the some of the common symptoms outlined below. These symptoms, if present, should be discussed with a medical doctor as soon as practicable, so that proper treatment can be stared, and likelihood of recovery increased.

Common concussion symptoms include the following:

• Headaches;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Memory problems and/or difficulty with word recall;
• Feeling “foggy” and/or experiencing confusion;
• Difficulty following conversations;
• Loss of energy or feeling tired even after getting a lot of rest;
• Dizziness and/or problems with balance;
• Blurry vision or seeing spots;
• Sensitivity to noise, light, or crowds;
• Personality or mood changes; and
• Increased stress and/or anxiety.

​Treatment for concussions can vary for each person, and will depend on a number of factors your doctor will consider. It can involve specialized rehabilitation called vestibular physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neurologist or, neuropsychologist assessments and care, psychological counseling or other treatments.
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We know that concussions and brain injuries, whether mild or severe, greatly impact not only the injured person’s quality of life, but also the lives of those close to them. For those reasons, we believe it is important to identify the signs and symptoms of potential concussions and, if appropriate, begin rehabilitation and recovery.