Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury that occur from a direct or even an indirect hit to the head or the body. A concussion happens when the brain moves inside the skull due to the level of force applied during the event. Concussions occur most commonly from falls, motor vehicle accidents, physical violence/assault, bike accidents, and sports injuries. It is estimated that 5 in 10 concussions are not recognized or reported. While anyone can experience a concussion, they are most common in young children, the elderly, teens, people with physical jobs (e.g., construction), and athletes. Teens are at the highest risk of all of these groups.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the appropriate aftercare is vital for everyone to know, as concussions can happen to anyone. Concussions may result in loss of consciousness, but often an individual remains conscious even when they have sustained a concussion. Signs of a concussion may not be obvious and may not happen immediately, so it is important to know the physical and cognitive symptoms and be observant of these symptoms.
Physical symptoms of a concussion may include:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty balancing
Double or blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound or a ringing in the ears
Cognitive symptoms of a concussion may include:
Brain fog or a feeling of confusion
Memory loss
Trouble focusing and concentrating
Higher levels of fatigue
Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep
Irritability and mood swings
It is important to see a healthcare professional within 1 to 2 days if you think you have experienced a concussion. Most concussion symptoms resolve within 10-14 days, but an estimated 15-20% of individuals may experience symptoms for a longer period of time, even months. This is often referred to as post-concussion syndrome. Individuals with post-concussion syndrome often benefit from evaluation and treatment by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). A speech-language pathologist is specially trained in addressing the cognitive and linguistic impairments that may result from concussion.
The following guidelines can be helpful in deciding when to refer to an SLP after concussion:
When cognitive symptoms aren’t improving past the expected 3-5 week timeframe
This can include: memory difficulties, brain fog, word finding difficulties, attention difficulties, trouble with planning and organization, making unexpected mistakes in tasks
When the individual has not been able to successfully move through a graduated return to school, work, activities, or sports
When the individual has had multiple concussions
When the individual needs accommodations for return to school or work
If you or someone you know has experienced one or more concussions and continues to have cognitive and/or language difficulties outside of the expected recovery period, reach out to the brain injury and concussion specialists at Lumen Speech and Cognitive Therapy for an individualized evaluation and treatment plan to help get you back to what you love.
