Post Concussion Symptoms
Our skull is made from hard bone that helps to protect our brain from damage from knocks. While it does offer effective protection, it is still not able to keep us completely safe. If we do take a sufficiently hard blow to the head then there is a risk that our brain will be damaged inside.
After we have received a blow to the head, we will often experience concussion. Even if severe damage is caused then we might still be able to carry on, oblivious to the fact that we are actually in serious trouble. It is something that should be taken very seriously, and here are some of the symptoms that you need medical attention.
1. Headaches
Headaches are very common. Thus, if you have one then you are unlikely to be concerned. They can be unbearably painful for some unlucky people but for most people they are little more than an inconvenience. We will often just take some medication and wait for the symptoms to pass, which won’t usually take too long. Headaches should not always be overlooked so easily, though, especially considering they can be a sign of concussion. If you have recently suffered a blow to the head and you have developed a headache, it would be a very good idea to get it checked out.
2. Irritability
We all have our off days; we cant be bright and cheery all of the time. Most of the time, though, we are at least reasonably content providing things around us aren’t affecting our mood. There are numerous other reasons why we might be feeling irritable and one of those is that we are concussed.
If you have recently taken a blow to the head and you are feeling irritable for no apparent reason, then it is recommended that you should speak with a doctor. Even if it turns out to be nothing it was still a good idea to get checked out just in case.
3. Fatigue
We all get tired. Even if you are a marathon runner with incredible stamina, it is still inevitable that you will get tired at some point. It is usually easily solved by getting plenty of food and rest, but this is not always the case. If you are feeling fatigued and you don’t know why, it might be down to a concussion. Fatigue is not just feeling tired toward the end of the night when you need sleep.
It is more of a general feeling of not having energy and feeling worn out no matter how much rest you might have had. It is likely to be easy to pass it off as nothing serious but it is probably worth getting checked out.
4. Inability to Concentrate
Our brain is a powerful organ that we expect to be hard at work all day, every day. We don’t even realize it is there at all most of the time but, still, we rely on it to help ensure we are well aware of what is going on around us. If you have received a blow to the head, however, then concentrating might become harder than usual.
If you suddenly find it difficult to concentrate then it might be a sign of a handful of conditions, some of which are potentially serious. You might also find that you develop an uncharacteristic loss of memory.
5. Blurry Vision
Not everybody’s vision is as good as it used to be; many of us need spectacles or contact lenses to help correct our eyesight, but at least such devices do help restore our eyesight. If your eyesight becomes blurred suddenly then it is something you should get checked out.
If you have recently received a blow to the head and your vision is blurry, go to a doctor to get it checked out. The symptom is a strong indicator that you have received damage that needs to be attended to as soon as possible.
6. Light Sensitivity
None of us really like to have a bright light shined directly into our eyes. It can be very uncomfortable and we are quick to react to protect ourselves from the light. In some circumstances, you might have the same sensitivity to light even when the light is not particularly bright.
Increased sensitivity to light might be a sign that you have received damage to the brain, which would need to be looked at as soon as possible. Patients might also find that they develop an uncharacteristic sensitivity to sound. Both of these symptoms should encourage you to speak with a medical professional.
7. Anxiety
Anxiety is a very natural phenomenon. It is a response to situations that require immediate attention and helps to ensure that we are alert enough to handle whatever is coming our way. Once the situation has passed then the anxiety will subside, but this is not the case for everybody.
Some people suffer from anxiety on almost a daily basis and it can have a severe impact on their quality of life. If you are somebody that doesn’t usually suffer from anxiety, then experiencing the symptom for no apparent reason could be a sign that you are suffering from concussion.
8. Dizziness
Stand up too quickly and you are likely to find that you feel a little dizzy. There are also other causes for dizziness such as not having eaten enough food, and certain diseases can also make you feel dizzy. It could also be a sign that you have taken a significant blow to the head.
Feeling dizzy for no apparent reason can be caused by conditions that are potentially dangerous. These conditions may be life-threatening so it is important that you get to see a medical professional as soon as you can. Even if it turns out to be nothing serious then it would still have been a wise decision to get it checked out.
9. Insomnia
If you have had a sleepless night for whatever reason then you will know how terrible you will feel the following day. It is very difficult to concentrate and you are likely to feel very cranky plus, of course, you will be wanting to go back to bed as soon as you are able.
Most people are fortunate enough to be able to sleep well at night. If you don’t usually suffer from insomnia but then find you have difficulty sleeping, it might be down to having experienced a concussion. It is something that should be taken seriously if you have recently suffered a blow to the head.
10. Depression
Life is full of ups and downs; it is almost inevitable that there will be something that causes us to feel down from time to time. For some people, however, depression is a problem that affects them regardless of what is happening in their lives.
If you have recently suffered a blow to the head and you are feeling depressed, it is something that you really should get checked out as soon as you can. Even if there is no concussion present, depression is still a very serious condition and should definitely be addressed. Getting professional help may literally save your life.
