What are the Symptoms of a Delayed Concussion?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most common injuries sustained by accident victims who experience blunt force impacts. Of these injuries, concussions occur most often and usually manifest with specific symptoms, like blurred vision, nausea, and pain. In some situations, however, concussions don’t produce immediate symptoms and signs of the injury may not show up for hours or even days after the accident. Unfortunately, delayed symptoms can be very dangerous for injured parties, as victims may fail to get the timely treatment that is required and complications could arise as a result.
Understanding Concussions
Concussions are a type of brain injury that occurs when the head suffers a sudden jolt or impact that causes the brain to move back and forth inside the skull. This rapid movement, sometimes severe enough to actually cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull. This can cause damage to the tissues and cells in the brain, which in turn can cause immediate changes in brain function, mental status, and even consciousness. Typical symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Slurred speech;
- Dizziness or blurred vision;
- Memory loss; and
- Confusion.
The signs of a concussion usually show up immediately (or soon after) a person suffers an injury to the head. Some symptoms, however, take several hours, or even a number of days to manifest, which is why it’s so important for those who have sustained some sort of head trauma to seek medical help right away, even if they don’t immediately recognize the symptoms of a concussion.
Concussion Symptoms Can be Delayed
Concussion symptoms are often pretty easy to spot, at least when a person starts experiencing symptoms immediately. Delayed symptoms can and do, however, occur amongst accident victims, such as:
- Delayed vomiting;
- Brain fog;
- Persistent headaches;
- Ringing in the ears; and
- Sensitivity to light and noise.
Accident victims who start experiencing these kinds of symptoms within hours or days of sustaining a head injury may be suffering from a delayed concussion and should seek medical assistance right away. Besides appearing over time, these kinds of symptoms can also become more noticeable as accident victims try to do more. Concussion-related symptoms can also come and go, which can be confusing, with many attributing their symptoms to other causes. This in turn can delay treatment even further.
At the end of the day, you know your body best and if you feel that something is off after an accident, you should be sure to reach out to a doctor for advice. The sooner you obtain a diagnosis and start getting treatment, the better your chances of physical and financial recovery.
Seeking Legal Guidance After a Concussion
Of the many injuries that accident victims sustain, head trauma can be the most life-altering. If you are unable to work or enjoy activities that previously brought you joy because of a head injury that you sustained in an accident, please call the experienced Tampa brain injury attorneys at Anderson & Anderson to learn more about pursuing compensation for your losses.
Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594
qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/concussion/delayed-concussion-symptoms
