What are the dangers of a concussion?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on October 30, 2024
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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.

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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.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is a concussion scary?

Firstly, a concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, mainly characterized by transient consciousness disturbances, generally not lasting more than half an hour. The second characteristic is recent memory loss, with an inability to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of the injury, one may also experience pale complexion, blood pressure drop, and pupil constriction. After the injury, some patients may suffer from dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, tinnitus, lack of concentration, and memory decline, among other clinical symptoms. Patients with a concussion generally recover after 1-2 weeks of systematic treatment, and the majority of concussions are recoverable, so they are not as fearsome as believed.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What to do if you feel dizzy from a concussion?

Patients with concussion often exhibit signs of transient consciousness disorders and recent memory loss after injury. Some patients may experience varying degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blindness, and other clinical symptoms. If a patient with concussion experiences dizziness, the first step is to rule out the possibility of intracranial organic lesions through examination of the head and body. Then, the patient should rest in bed in a quiet environment with dim lighting. Additionally, symptomatic treatment with medications, including some that expand cerebral blood vessels, can be administered.

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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 Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How to check for a concussion?

How is a concussion diagnosed? In fact, the diagnosis of a concussion is primarily based on clinical manifestations such as a clear history of head trauma, temporary confusion, and retrograde amnesia. Concussions can also undergo some routine examinations, such as CT scans of the head, X-rays of the head, electroencephalography, cerebral blood flow imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. However, these test results are usually negative, meaning that the diagnosis of a concussion mainly relies on clinical manifestations and there are no effective diagnostic tests.