Is There a Difference? Should You Respond Differently?
You’ve been in an accident—you slipped and fell, hitting your head, or you were in a motor vehicle accident, banging your noggin on the windshield or dashboard. Whenever you hear discussions about head/brain injuries, you typically hear two different diagnoses: a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. Is there a difference? What’s the difference? Is differentiating between a concussion and a TBI necessary to determine what type of treatment you seek?
Is There a Difference between a Concussion and a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Any type of injury to your brain that is caused by an accident will commonly be referred to as at traumatic brain injury, or TBI. That distinguishes it from brain conditions that are caused by illness, heredity or degenerative conditions, or that are congenital. Such brain injuries are commonly referred to as acquired brain injuries, or ABIs.
Technically, a concussion caused by an accident is a traumatic brain injury. The term “concussion,” though, is generally used to describe those types of brain injuries that are considered to be mild.
Are The Symptoms of a Concussion Different from the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
As a general rule, most of the symptoms of a TBI and a concussion are the same. The key difference tends to be the severity of the injury. For example, loss of consciousness may result from either a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. If the loss of consciousness is momentary or lasts less than 30 minutes, it will commonly be deemed a concussion. If it’s longer, it’s usually referred to as a TBI.
Is the Treatment Different for a Concussion than for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Your initial response should be the same, whether you’ve suffered a concussion (mild TBI) or a more serious traumatic brain injury. If you are conscious, you want to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. Your doctor will have the tools and knowledge to conduct the necessary assessment and either prescribe a regimen of care or refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or physiatrist.
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.
