California Concussion Attorneys
Concussion
As far as brain injuries go, a concussion is typically relatively minor. This type of closed head injury affects the functioning of the brain temporarily and usually resolves itself without medical treatment. Some concussions are more serious than others, though, and symptoms can persist in certain cases for some time.
Causes of Concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a hit to the head. It may also occur due to aggressive shaking. Some of the more common causes of concussion are the following:
- Incidents related to high-impact sports
- Falls
- Bike accidents
- Automobile accidents
- Assaults and attacks
- Falling objects or projectiles that strike the victim in the head
Symptoms of a Concussion
Unless a concussion is severe, symptoms are often subtle. Because of this, the victim and those who witnessed the trauma may simply ignore them. It is true that mild concussions will typically heal on their own and produce no lasting ill effects. However, it is still important to be familiar with the signs so that a medical professional can examine the victim if symptoms are present. Signs that an individual has sustained a mild concussion include the following:
- Headaches (possibly migraine headaches)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Short-term memory loss
These are signs of a more serious concussion:
- Loss of consciousness
- Sleep disturbances
- Disruptions to the senses (taste, sight and/or smell)
- Pupil dilation
- Changes in mood
Severe concussions can have serious and lasting complications. The brain may swell as a result of the trauma, which increases pressure within the skull. If not treated properly, this can permanently damage brain tissue and even cause death. Other symptoms that may present some time after a concussion and persist for several months are the following:
- Irritability and mood swings
- Lapses in memory
- Ongoing headaches
- Feelings of depression
- Disturbances to the senses of sight and smell
- Dizziness
Diagnosis and Treatment of a Concussion
A doctor will typically determine whether the patient sustained a concussion, how serious the injury is and what the appropriate course of treatment is by doing the following:
- Getting more information about the injury, such as what caused the trauma and whether the individual lost consciousness
- Doing a superficial physical examination
- Performing a CT scan if the doctor suspects the concussion is serious
Treatment for a concussion is often quite basic and can be performed at home. For example, a doctor may recommend the following:
- Applying ice if there is a "bump" on the head
- A period of rest
- Pain relievers
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Check-ups and follow-up care
Fortunately, a single concussion is not likely to have any long-term adverse effects. Those who sustain a concussion should do everything possible to avoid another one, however, as the effects of multiple concussions are typically more severe.
If you have suffered a serious concussion in California, please contact The Brain Injury Legal Help Center at (800) 610-1892 right away. Our California head injury lawyers are knowledgeable in all areas of brain injury law, and are available to provide you with important concussion and brain injury information related to your situation.