Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 2 million concussions are experienced by Americans every year. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries, and the names are interchangeable. Most frequently, these are “closed head” injuries, meaning that there was no penetration through the skull and the injury was caused by a strong impact to the head. Approximately 14.3% of those 2 million concussions a year, or about 286,000 of them, are caused directly from auto accidents. It is important to know what symptoms you may experience if you have recently been shaken up by a car accident, as oftentimes these symptoms take hours or even days to reveal themselves. It is always a good idea to be evaluated by a physician or emergency room doctors.

How does a concussion occur?

A concussion occurs from any blow to the head, and frequently is caused by a car accident, fall, or sports injury. Of the 2 million that take place every year, an astonishing 40% are caused by falls. When a concussion occurs, the brain bounces around inside the skull and develops bruises and tears. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can also cause bleeding inside the brain.

How dangerous is a concussion?

There are three levels of concussion severity that one can experience following an accident.

• Grade I: during a grade I concussion, no loss of consciousness occurs, and amnesia is rare but it can occur for a period of less than 30 minutes.
• Grade 2: Loss of consciousness is less than 5 minutes, and amnesia may last between half hour to 24 hours.
• Grade 3: Loss of consciousness can last longer than 5 minutes and amnesia can last longer than 24 hours

It is important to visit the ER with a head injury that has caused the loss of consciousness, vomiting, seizures or difficulty with coordination and balance.

Upon experiencing a TBI from a car accident or sports injury, you run the risk of developing Second Impact Syndrome, which could be fatal. This happens when your head is re-injured before injuries from your first concussion have healed. This can happen because concussion symptoms can take days to develop and many times people do not realize they have one.

What are the top concussion symptoms?

Headaches are common following a concussion. A person who has suffered may also have difficulty with sleep, whether from sleeping too much or too little, or difficulty falling asleep. The person may also feel fatigue or exhaustion and can have memory trouble. Someone who has suffered from a TBI may have difficulty remembering new information, concentrating, and may feel confused. Mood changes can also occur, from irritability and sadness to nervousness and anxiety. Other physical symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise

The renowned pain physicians at Garden State Pain Control rely on a variety of important tests to determine if you indeed are suffering from a concussion after a car accident. They specialize in relieving all kinds of pain symptoms and can help you too! Book an appointment today at a clinic near you.