A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. While it’s the least serious sort of traumatic brain injury, it’s also the most common.
Furthermore, there are different types of concussions, ranging from mild to severe.
Let’s take a closer look at those concussion types.
What causes concussions?
An impact to the head causes a concussion.
When there’s a blow or bump to your head, it results in your brain moving backward and forward rapidly. In turn, that can lead to chemical changes in the brain. Sometimes, it can even damage brain cells.
After experiencing a concussion, your brain won’t function exactly as it should. If you experience an impact on your head that results in serious symptoms, you should get immediate concussion treatment.
The Three Types of Concussions
Doctors grade concussions based on the severity of the symptoms.
While your doctor will take symptoms like amnesia and loss of equilibrium into account to determine the rank of concussion you have, it’s loss of consciousness that mostly dictates which grade of concussion you have.
The three types of concussion are:
- Grade One. This type of concussion refers to people who have mild symptoms that last less than fifteen minutes. It doesn’t involve a loss of consciousness.
- Grade Two. This type of concussion involves moderate symptoms that last longer than fifteen minutes. It also doesn’t involve a loss of consciousness.
- Grade Three. This type of concussion refers to people who lose consciousness, even if just for a few seconds.
If you experience grade one or two concussions, you should wait until the symptoms disappear before you return to daily activities. That can take minutes, hours, or longer.
If you lose consciousness after an impact on the head, you have a grade three concussion, which means you need to seek medical attention immediately.
A doctor will ask what caused the concussion and evaluate your memory and concentration skills by asking simple questions. The doctor may also test your reflexes and coordination. Sometimes, a doctor may order a CT scan or MRI to ensure there’s no internal bleeding or other serious problems.
Bear in mind that concussions can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because some symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks after the blow to your head.
So, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get advice from a medical professional after experiencing a concussion.
And you should always get medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms after a blow, bump, or jolt to the head:
- Loss of consciousness.
- Decreased coordination.
- Slurred speech.
- Persistent and intense headache.
- Repeated vomiting or nausea.
- Increasing confusion.
- One pupil is larger than the other.
Concussions in Children
Children are often more prone to accidents, and because their heads are disproportionately large in comparison to the rest of their bodies, concussions can be quite common in young children. The concussions are often mild or moderate, though.
If a child in your care experiences a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, it’s important you monitor them for the first twenty-four hours.
Don’t give them any medication before consulting with a doctor. And watch out for behavioral changes.
Young children will find it more difficult to communicate what they’re feeling, so it’s especially important that you watch them closely after a concussion.
Common symptoms experienced by children with concussions include:
- Problems with balance.
- Vomiting or upset stomach.
- Slow thinking.
- Sensitivity to noise or light.
- Memory or concentration problems.
- Sleeping problems.
- Feeling more sad, anxious, or irritable than usual.
If a child experiences any of the above symptoms after an impact on the head, seek medical advice straight away.
