Whether you have had a hard fall or taken a hard blow during a game, injuries to the head hurt and may require urgent care. However, how can you tell if you should clean yourself and keep going or simply head to an urgent care center to receive treatment for a concussion? Yes, it is good to talk about the essence of helmets and safety measures, but concussions can happen at any time.
A concussion is a severe injury that happens when the brain is jolted or shaken in the skull. As opposed to popular belief, concussions can happen without losing consciousness. In reality, you may not even see any physical sign that you have experienced a concussion. The symptoms may occur immediately after the injury, or may not be obvious for days or even weeks. They typically fall into four categories.
Four signs of a concussion
Cognitive signs
These include issues with recalling new details and thinking clearly, difficulty with concentration and a perception that you are not as sharp as you used to be. These signs are usually discernable by others and not the patient. You may find yourself inquiring about the same thing repeatedly without realizing the information has already been provided. If people have been telling you that you have issues recalling things, you should visit an urgent care center to be checked.
Physical signs
Apparently, you just knocked your head over, so you will probably suffer a headache. However, you discover changes in your balance or vision, feel nauseous or faint or start vomiting, then you should visit the doctor. Other signs of a concussion include fatigue and sensitivity to light and sound.
Emotional signs
A concussed person may also experience certain emotional symptoms. You may start feeling unnecessarily upset, angry, irritable or emotional. You may experience bursts of baffling sadness, anxiety or nervousness.
Sleep-related issues
A concussion can change your sleep patterns. Note anything different from your normal routine – whether you have trouble with sleeping, or you are sleeping less or more than usual.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, visit the urgent care immediately:
- A debilitating headache
- Multiple instances of vomiting
- Passing out for more than 30 seconds
- Alteration in speech pattern, such as slurring
- Dilated pupils or unequal pupil sizes
- Seizures
In conclusion
Concussions are quite common, and most patients fully recover after receiving treatment. If you receive a hard blow to the head, try to go easy and rest for a few days. Concussions do not happen to only hockey and football players. According to the Center for Disease Control, the most common causes of many cases of traumatic brain injury are bicycling, soccer, football, playground events and basketball.
If you suffer a blow to the head during sports, you should immediately go for evaluation before returning to the game. Even if you feel better, your brain has suffered injuries and need time to heal. An urgent care center can provide the necessary remedy for head-related injuries such as bumps, contusions, bruises and concussions.
Call us today at (703) 743-7849 for more information from Millennium Medical Care Herndon.
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