How is a concussion diagnosed?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Concussion diagnosis usually includes, first, a history of head trauma; second, after a head CT scan, no significant substantive changes are observed, but the patient has experienced a transient loss of consciousness, typically not exceeding half an hour. Third, there is approximated amnesia where the patient cannot recall the incident. Some may show symptoms such as decreased blood pressure and pale complexion, while others can experience dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, memory deterioration, and lack of concentration among a series of clinical presentations. Diagnosis of concussion can be confirmed through medical history, supplementary examinations, and clinical symptoms.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How to diagnose a concussion

Typically, patients with concussions do not show organic changes on head CT scans; their primary clinical symptoms include temporary disturbances in consciousness after the injury and short-term memory loss. Some patients also experience varying degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blindness, impaired memory, or lack of concentration, among other clinical symptoms. Generally, the essential tests include: first, a head CT scan; second, an electroencephalogram (EEG); third, cerebrospinal fluid examination.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How to treat a concussion

The management of concussion patients includes general management and symptomatic drug treatment. General management should include psychological communication with patients who may feel fear and anxiety. Keeping the patient's mood relaxed is beneficial to the recovery of the disease. Secondly, in the early stages of concussion, it is important to observe changes in the patient's general condition to prevent the possibility of delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Thirdly, the patient's diet should be light, easy to digest, and nutritionally reasonable. Additionally, there is symptomatic drug treatment. Some patients may experience severe headaches and insomnia. We can administer some analgesic and hypnotic medications orally. Treatment can also include oral medications that promote the recovery of nerve cells.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is a concussion considered a minor injury?

Patients with concussion exhibit a brief disturbance in consciousness due to injury, which does not last more than half an hour. They also experience recent memory loss, meaning patients cannot recall the circumstances of the injury. Additionally, some patients may experience a range of clinical symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, lack of concentration, and decreased memory. The vast majority of concussion patients can recover with one to two weeks of rest. Furthermore, head CT scans of concussion patients do not show any organic changes. Therefore, concussions are generally not considered minor injuries.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What department should I go to for a concussion?

Concussion is a relatively mild form of traumatic brain injury, usually involving disturbances in consciousness and short-term memory loss, with patients unable to recall the incident. Symptoms may include a drop in blood pressure, pale complexion, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, reduced memory, or lack of concentration. Long-term effects can appear three months later. Patients with concussion can be treated in neurology or neurosurgery departments, among others.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How to administer first aid for a concussion

After a concussion occurs, the injured should be quickly moved from a dangerous environment to a safe area. The injured person should lie flat and rest quietly without sitting up or standing. The head can be appropriately cooled, and it is important to keep the body warm. For patients who are unconscious, it is necessary to keep the airway clear and closely observe their consciousness and pupils. If there are airway secretions or vomiting, they should be cleaned up promptly. If the patient has already experienced respiratory or circulatory problems, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed. After the aforementioned emergency treatment, the next step is to transport the patient to a nearby well-equipped hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.