The Telltale Signs to Look for after a Bump or Blow to the Head
You live an active lifestyle—maybe you’re actively involved in sports or you have hobbies that put you at risk for an occasional slip and fall or bump to the head. When it happens, you want to just shake it off and stay in the game or finish the project. But any trauma that involves your neck or head, even if there’s no contact with a foreign object, can cause a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury. You need to know the classic warning signs of a concussion, so that you can take the right steps to ensure the best outcome.
The Classic Symptoms of a Concussion
Whether you’ve hit your head on the ground, on a stationary object or in contact with someone else’s head, chest, knee or shoulder, one of the first things you can expect is a headache. That’s common. However, if your headache persists more than a few hours or doesn’t respond to painkillers or anti-inflammatories, it can be a clear indication of a more serious injury.
In addition, it’s not unusual to feel nauseated after a bump or blow to the head. However, if your nausea won’t go away or you experience repeated vomiting, you should immediately seek medical treatment.
Other common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Loss of consciousness, even momentarily
- Balance issues, dizziness or vertigo
- Loss of memory of events, whether prior to or after the incident
- Abnormal sensitivity to light or sound
- An inability to concentrate or respond to questions
- Delayed or slow reaction to stimuli, including questions, conversation or physical movements
What to Do If You Have the Classic Symptoms of a Concussion
You need to stop what you are doing and immediately seek medical care. That can be at a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility, but one of the best things you can do is go see your primary care physician. Your doctor will be able to make an initial assessment and either prescribe a regimen of care or refer you to a specialist, if necessary.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
