There are a lot of ways you can end up with a head injury — including a car accident, fall, or from a sports injury. If you hit your head and you just don’t feel right afterward, you could be suffering from a concussion. This type of injury can be serious, so it’s important that you get treatment as soon as possible.
Our team at Bay Oaks Orthopaedics are experts in all kinds of orthopaedic injuries, including concussions. Dr. Anthonly Melillo is our orthopaedic specialist who gets you the treatment you need after you’ve suffered a head injury.
Hitting your head may not seem like a big deal — that is, until you’ve sustained a concussion. While bumping your head here and there may just result in a headache, a concussion is more severe, and in some cases, can have lasting effects long after your injury.
So what exactly is a concussion? This type of condition is actually considered a traumatic brain injury. It occurs when you bang your head so hard that you temporarily lose normal function in your brain. It can cause damage to the cells in your brain, along with chemical changes.
Concussions are a common injury among kids and teens who play sports. However, it’s also a common injury in the workplace, and after an accident like a fall or vehicle collision.
The symptoms of a concussion are usually short-lived and resolve on their own. However, if you’ve suffered multiple concussions or have had a severe concussion, you could have ongoing deficits if you’re not treated promptly.
The symptoms of a concussion vary, depending on the severity of your head injury. Some of the symptoms you experience may be mild, or they could be severe. While there are a lot of symptoms related to a concussion, five common signs that you may notice include:
The headache may come on right away, but could last more than a few hours. If your headache persists, it’s important that you get medical care promptly.
After a concussion, you may have trouble recalling the event when you got injured. If you’re having trouble remembering what happened after the injury, get help immediately.
Confusion may result in saying words or sentences that don’t make sense, or not knowing where you are or what happened. Since confusion can be a sign of many different conditions, seek medical care right away if you’re experiencing this symptom.
Nausea and vomiting are common after a concussion, but should go away within a few hours to a few days. However, in some cases, it can last longer, and can result in dehydration if you can’t keep anything down.
After a concussion, you may feel off balance or like the room is spinning. Dizziness is common after this type of injury, but usually resolves on its own.
While these are common signs, there are other symptoms as well, including not feeling well or having trouble concentrating. These symptoms can show up right away, or even days after you’ve suffered the injury.
You don’t necessarily need to see a doctor every time you hit your head — however, if your symptoms don’t improve after a day or two, it’s important that you make an appointment with Dr. Melillo.
But if you experience a head injury that’s accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it’s extremely important that you seek help immediately:
If you have any changes in your behavior or dizziness that you can’t seem to shake, it’s also important that you get medical care as soon as possible.
If you think you’ve suffered a concussion, call us today at 281-223-1391, or book an appointment with Dr. Melillo using our convenient online booking tool.
