How to diagnose a concussion?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Concussion typically involves functional impairment of brain activities. His head CT showed no organic damage. The main clinical symptoms include transient consciousness disturbances and recent memory loss after the injury. Some patients may experience significant symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia, among other clinical symptoms. For concussion patients, the first step is to conduct a head CT to rule out intracranial organic injuries, followed by cerebrospinal fluid examination, and then an electroencephalogram test.

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

The first patient has a history of head trauma. The second patient's CT scan did not reveal any substantive changes in brain tissue. The third patient may exhibit some clinical symptoms, such as transient consciousness disorders, typically lasting no more than half an hour. There is also recent memory loss; the patient cannot recall the incident. Additionally, the patient experiences self-reported symptoms of dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, memory decline, and lack of concentration. With these medical histories, some CT scans, and symptoms, a concussion can be diagnosed.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Patients with concussions often present with a clear history of head trauma, followed by a brief period of impaired consciousness, often referred to as a state of drowsiness or stupor. As the condition progresses, patients usually regain consciousness spontaneously and experience significant symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, during subsequent treatment, patients may experience clinical symptoms such as insomnia at night, frequent dreaming, and easy waking. Patients often cannot accurately recall the incident at the time of injury, a condition clinically known as retrograde amnesia. However, in such patients, head CT or MRI scans typically show no significant positive findings. For these patients, diagnosis is generally made based on clinical presentation.

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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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How to deal with a mild concussion?

The treatment mainly includes general management and symptomatic medication. Patients with concussions often experience fear and apprehension. It is beneficial to frequently communicate with patients to maintain a relaxed mood, which aids in recovery from the illness. Early on, it is important to observe changes in the general condition of patients to prevent delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Proper nutrition is also necessary, with a diet that is light and easy to digest. Additionally, patients with mild concussions, who suffer from severe headaches and insomnia, can be treated symptomatically with hypnotic and sedative medications. Oral medications that nourish the nerves can also be administered for treatment.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How long does vomiting last with a mild concussion?

Patients with mild concussion typically exhibit brief disturbances in consciousness lasting from several seconds to several minutes after the injury, usually not exceeding half an hour, along with retrograde amnesia. Some patients may also experience varying degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and other clinical symptoms. The vast majority of mild concussion patients can recover within five to seven days with rest and conditioning, meaning that mild concussion symptoms, including vomiting, can resolve within 5-7 days.