It’s understandable if you’re perplexed after reading about concussion diagnosis and symptoms. The majority of concussion advice is ambiguous. It’s difficult to determine which ones apply to you. And, if you’re like most patients, you could be second-guessing yourself and debating whether or not to seek medical help following your accident.
If you have experienced a recent head injury, it is important that you know if your symptoms are caused by a concussion. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms after a head injury or other type of trauma to the brain, please visit your local hospital for diagnosis and treatment. It is recommended that all people with suspected concussions see a doctor within 24 hours of the incident.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, whiplash, or jostling of the brain. Inflammation triggered by that shock to the brain causes damage and loss of neurons. In time, this injury and inflammation result in concussion symptoms.
Concussion symptoms can be broken down into four main categories: physical, cognitive (or mental), emotional/behavioral, as well as sleep-related. Symptoms vary in severity depending on several factors including body area affected by trauma; force applied at the point of impact; location within the cranium where contact was made; the age of the patient; overall health status; etc. The first concussion symptom you experience could occur immediately following an accident or up to a few days afterward. Here are some concussion symptoms:
Recovery is unique to each person as concussion symptoms vary from patient to patient based on the location of impact (frontal lobe vs back etc.), the severity of concussion sustained, age, gender, and overall health status. In most cases, concussion recovery time is between several weeks to months. When in doubt about whether you have had a concussion or not, seek immediate medical advice. If it turns out you do have concussion symptoms, you will be better off knowing what concussion treatments are available to help speed your recovery. Proper understanding of concussion symptoms will help you:
If you are experiencing concussion symptoms after a head injury or other trauma to the brain, please seek treatment from a local hospital immediately. Most people wait too long before seeking medical advice following an accident and this could lead to further complications apart from concussion diagnosis and treatment. Benefits of seeking medical help immediately:
Concussion tests can be used to determine concussion diagnosis, concussion symptoms, and concussion severity. Your doctor will perform a physical examination including neurologic testing (i.e., balance test) as well as brain imaging like X-rays or CT scans. This ensures that you can:
The post-concussion period is crucial for making decisions that will shape the rest of your life.
Concussions are not just a problem for athletes. A concussion can happen at any time, to anyone, and it is important that you know what symptoms to look out for. If you think that you have sustained an injury like this then we recommend getting medical attention quickly so doctors can diagnose the severity and provide appropriate treatment if necessary.
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
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925-934-3536
stephen.chen@eastbaysportsdoc.com