How to identify a concussion

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on November 11, 2024
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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 Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What to check for a concussion?

A head CT scan for concussion usually does not show organic changes, as it primarily stems from temporary dysfunction of brain neurological functions. The main symptoms include brief disturbances in consciousness, retrograde amnesia, and some patients may also experience a series of clinical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. For patients with concussion, what we need to do is a head CT scan or an MRI of the head to rule out organic brain lesions. The second option is to examine the cerebrospinal fluid. The third option is to conduct an electroencephalogram (EEG) test.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What should be done for a concussion?

Patients with concussion generally experience fear and anxiety, so it is important to keep them calm and avoid disturbing them as much as possible. Some psychological communication with the patient can help maintain a calm state of mind. Secondly, closely observe the patient's general condition and changes in consciousness to prevent delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Thirdly, administer symptomatic medication as needed, such as pain relievers and sleep aids for symptoms like headache and insomnia. Fourthly, use medications that promote the recovery of nerve cells for treatment.

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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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What is a concussion?

Firstly, a concussion is a relatively mild condition where the brain sustains damage, usually accompanied by disturbances in consciousness, which are temporary, such as unconsciousness lasting no longer than half an hour. The second symptom is akin to amnesia, where the injured person is unable to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of the injury, symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure and pale complexion can occur; some patients may also experience dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, poor sleep, as well as a range of clinical manifestations including lack of concentration and memory decline.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What are the dangers of a concussion?

In general, as long as one follows medical advice, recovery from a concussion is usually quite satisfactory, and it rarely leaves any long-term harm. Short-term harm can result in the patient experiencing some very painful symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. Such subjective experiences can comparatively make the patient suffer. For those who are emotionally excited or fragile, it may even lead to anxiety and depression, which are some of the recent damages. In the long term, some patients might experience a loss of memory, particularly short-term memory, which can also cause some inconvenience in their lives. However, overall, the damage from a concussion is very minimal, and as long as it is treated properly, there is generally no harm in the later stages.