What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes a biochemical imbalance within the brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or balance problems, among others.
Pre-season Testing
Multimodal pre-season testing is a series of physical and cognitive tests that provides a pre-injury overview of healthy brain function. These tests can offer healthcare practitioners with an objective benchmark on which to compare should a patient sustain a concussion. It’s important to remember that not all baseline testing is created equal. CCMI has selected the best evidence-based tools available to provide you with comprehensive, multimodal, proven baseline-testing.
As concussion symptoms often disappear days to weeks before the brain has recovered, having valuable baseline information may help practitioners to make safer return to play decisions.
3 Types of Concussions
Here, we will talk about the three types of concussions and the level of severity that comes with it.
- Grade 1 – Mild concussion
A mild concussion can be characterized by symptoms that last no longer than 15 minutes. There is never a loss of consciousness, but individuals may experience: headaches, dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration, sensitivity to light or noise, and nausea. It is important to remember though a mild concussion is minor, it is a concussion none the less. They can still disrupt brain function and recovery is important, so always make sure to check with your physician or physical therapist for complications.
- Grade 2 – Moderate Concussion
Much like a mild concussion, a moderate concussion is distinguished by lasting longer than 15 minutes, though a loss of consciousness is still not present. The intensity and duration are what separates a moderate from that of a mibld. Symptoms present themselves as: fatigue, trouble sleeping, mood swings, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, persistent headaches, and vestibular issues. Because this concussion is more severe than a mild, it does require medical attention. Individuals who have suffered a moderate concussion should be looked after carefully and made sure they recover safely.
- Grade 3 – Severe Concussion
Grade 3 concussions are the most severe. These require immediate medical attention and diagnostic imaging to check for further complications. These are characterized by the following symptoms: loss of consciousness, severe headache, disorientation, unequal pupil size, seizure, slurred speech, consistent vomiting, and difficulty waking up. The loss of consciousness can range from a couple of seconds to several minutes. The loss of consciousness can also happen immediately after the injury or shortly after.
Types of Concussion Symptoms
- Vestibular Symptoms
After a concussion has occurred, individuals can and will experience vestibular symptoms. These can present as unsteadiness, dizziness, proprioceptive problems, and spatial awareness. Even environments that are crowded or visually stimulating can exacerbate these issues.
- Ocular Symptoms
Some ocular symptoms that can occur after a concussion is sensitivity to light, inability to read long passages, altered depth perception, blurred vision, or seeing stars or flashes before the eyes.
- Cognitive Symptoms
Symptoms of cognitive symptoms are trouble with prolonged mental tasks, complex subject matter, increased fatigue, and decreased concentration.
- Cervical Symptoms
Cervical symptoms present as stress or pressure on the neck, spine, or spinal cord. One may present with ongoing headaches, as well and bad posture may exacerbate the situation.
- Mood/ Gut Symptoms
Mood Symptoms are common as well. This symptoms presents as increased anxiety, excessive worrying or concern, and problems with social interaction. Studies have also shown that our gut microbiomes have a direct link to head injuries. It’s not coincidence that after a serious head injury the individual vomits or has severe nausea. Upon completion of studies and tests, it was found that there were fewer gut microbiomes found in individuals after sustaining a head injury that resulted in a concussion.
Here at Fyzical Lubbock, our Physical Therapist, Robert Roten is trained and certified through CCMI to treat concussions. If you have had a concussion and are still exhibiting symptoms, or if you know someone that has had a concussion, please give us a call at 806-785-7900. We would love to get you back to Loving Your Life.