Concussion - Headache - Whiplash FAQ:

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Do you have a headache? Did it start after a car accident, a back injury or neck injury, a fall, or some other physical incident?

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Head injuries are nothing to fool around with.

It is very possible you have a concussion – otherwise known as a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This is an injury that often gets overlooked, and as a result, goes untreated.

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The Law Offices of Thomas Kensok will connect you with the most up to date treatment available.

You will be checked by a health professional for the initial assessment.  If the situation warrants it, we will move on to an EEG to measure what is going on inside your brain.

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This centers on EEG event-related potentials (ERPs), which measure quantitative changes in EEG wavelength amplitudes and latencies that reflect sensory processing. These results are interpreted by a board-certified neurologist. The next step is that a neurologist conducts a neurological exam and prescribes a course of treatment.

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Some symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):

 

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What are the common symptoms?

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• Thinking/Remembering: Difficulty thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering new information.

• Physical: Headache, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to noise or light, feeling tired having no energy

• Emotional/Mood: Irritability, sadness, higher or lesser emotions, nervousness or anxiety

• Sleep: Sleeping more than usual, sleeping less than usual, trouble falling asleep

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Some of these symptoms may appear right away. Others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person resumes their everyday life. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand their problems and how the symptoms they are experiencing impact their daily activities.

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The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be overlooked by the person with the concussion, family members, or doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently.

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Danger Signs in Adults:

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In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot that crowds the brain against the skull can develop. The people checking on you should take you to an emergency department right away if you have:

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• Headache that gets worse and does not go away.

• Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.

• Repeated vomiting or nausea.

• Slurred speech.

• Look very drowsy or cannot wake up.

• Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other.

• Have convulsions or seizures.

• Cannot recognize people or places.

• Are getting more and more confused, restless, or agitated.

• Have unusual behavior.

• Lose consciousness.

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Danger Signs in Children:

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Take your child to the emergency department right away if they received a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, and:

• Have any of the danger signs for adults listed above.

• Will not stop crying and are inconsolable.

• Will not nurse or eat.

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What is a Concussion?

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A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. Medical providers may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, the effects of a concussion can be serious.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms:

Children and teens who show or report one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below, or simply say they just “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, may have a concussion or more serious brain injury.

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Concussion Signs Observed

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• Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.

• Appears dazed or stunned.

• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent.

• Moves clumsily.

• Answers questions slowly.

• Loses consciousness (even briefly).

• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes.

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Concussion Symptoms Reported

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• Headache or “pressure” in head.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.

• Bothered by light or noise.

• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.

• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.

• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

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Signs and symptoms generally show up soon after the injury. However, you may not know how serious the injury is at first and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. For example, in the first few minutes your child or teen might be a little confused or a bit dazed, but an hour later your child might not be able to remember how he or she got hurt.

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You should continue to check for signs of concussion right after the injury and a few days after the injury. If your child or teen’s concussion signs or symptoms get worse, you should take him or her to the emergency department right away.

Severe Brain Injury:

Long-Term Effects

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A person with a severe brain injury will need to be hospitalized and may have long-term problems affecting things such as:

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• Thinking

• Memory

• Learning

• Coordination and balance

• Speech, hearing or vision

• Emotions

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A severe brain injury can affect all aspects of people’s lives, including relationships with family and friends, as well as their ability to work or be employed, do household chores, drive, and/or do other normal daily activities.

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What Should I do If a Concussion Occurs?

People with a concussion need to be seen by a health care professional.  If you think you or someone you know has a concussion, contact your health care professional. Your health care professional can evaluate your concussion and determine if you need to be referred to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, or specialist in rehabilitation (such as a speech pathologist) for specialized care. Getting help soon after the injury by trained specialists may improve recovery.