Concussions After An Accident

Definition: Mild-Traumatic Brain injury is essentially synonymous with concussion. The difference, is that concussion is a term for only one type of mild-traumatic brain injury. Concussions/mild-traumatic brain injuries occur from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, causing the head and brain to move back and forth rapidly enough to cause stretching/damage to brain cells and changes in brain chemistry.

When do Concussions or Mild-Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur?

They occur most commonly during car accidents and fall injuries. In fact, in one population based study, Cassidy et. al., found that about 25% of car accidents resulted in mild-traumatic brain injury. Contact sports such as football, rugby, and hockey are another population in which concussions often occur.

Signs and Symptoms of concussion or mild-traumatic brain injury?

The Center for Disease Control divides signs and symptoms into observable and reportable columns.

Important Information for Your Healthcare Provider After a Car Accident:

Report if you hit your head, or you think you might have hit your head.
Report any loss of consciousness, even if it was brief.
Report any memory lapses, confusion, or disorientation.
Report if the accident has caused you a sense of dizziness or unsteadiness.
Report any concentration problems.
Report any ongoing or worsening headaches.
Report any nausea or vomiting.
Report any history of previous concussions.

Signs of an Emergency (need care, or further evaluation immediately at an emergency room):

One pupil being larger than the other
Drowsiness or inability to wake up
A worsening headache that does not go away
Slurred speech
Weakness, numbness, or trouble with coordination
Repeated vomiting/nausea, twitching or seizures
Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
Loss of consciousness (even if it is brief), needs to be taken seriously

What To Expect Once You’ve Been Cleared and Sent Home after a Concussion:

First 24 hours after a concussion:

Have a responsible person monitor you and also check your responsiveness at least every 4 hours, for any worsening or progressing symptoms (like the ones mentioned above).
Do not participate in stressful physical or mental activity.
Stick to clear fluids, like water.
Do not drink alcohol or overeat.
Do not take sleeping pills, Ibuprofen, or any sedatives unless otherwise instructed by your medical doctor.

Follow-up:

After a car accident, you’ll often be treated for a multitude of other injuries, sustained. Most commonly: neck pain, lower back pain, and shoulder pain. Make sure you let any treating provider know of any continuation or progression of symptoms such as: memory loss, difficulty with previously routine tasks, trouble prioritizing, (or any of the above).

Recovery:

Many people recover from a post car accident concussion within 2-3 weeks and the majority, by 3 months. However, a percentage continue to have post concussion symptoms, which can be chronic. Those at higher risk of developing chronic post concussion symptoms:

tend to have a greater extent of initial injury
have had previous concussions
sustained another concussion, not too long after the initial concussion
Experiences post traumatic stress disorder
are school age, or seniors
lost consciousness during the car accident for greater than 1 minute

Excellent Resources for Parents, Coaches, Healthcare providers and anyone Concerned about Concussions and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries:

References

“Professionals.” Professionals | BrainLine. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2017.

Cassidy, J. David, Linda Carroll, Paul Peloso, Jörgen Borg, Hans Von Holst, Lena Holm, Jess Kraus, and Victor Coronado. “Incidence, risk factors and prevention of mild traumatic brain injury: results of the who collaborating centre task force on mild traumatic brain injury.” Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine36.0 (2004): 28-60. Web.

Cassidy, J. David, Eleanor Boyle, and Linda J. Carroll. “Population-Based, Inception Cohort Study of the Incidence, Course, and Prognosis of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury After Motor Vehicle Collisions.” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation95.3 (2014): n. pag. Web.

Ebell, Mark. “Computed Tomography after Minor Head Injury.” American Family Physician73.12 (2006): 2205-208. Web.

Merritt, Victoria C., Rael T. Lange, and Louis M. French. “Resilience and symptom reporting following mild traumatic brain injury in military service members.” Brain Injury29.11 (2015): 1325-336. Web.

Mittenberg, W., D. V. Digiulio, S. Perrin, and A. E. Bass. “Symptoms following mild head injury: expectation as aetiology.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry55.3 (1992): 200-04. Web.

“The Glasgow Structured Approach to Assessment of the Glasgow Coma Scale.” Glasgow Coma Scale. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2017.

“What Is a Concussion?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Jan. 2017. Web. 01 Aug. 2017.