If you’ve sustained a severe blow to the head, violent shaking of the head, or other head injuries, there’s a chance that you may have a concussion. The symptoms of a concussion may not appear immediately, so you must contact neurological experts if you’ve undergone an incident that increases the risk of a concussion. The Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin is led by highly-skilled neurologic experts who perform the most up-to-date diagnostic tests to identify and treat concussions before you experience severe complications. Please schedule a consultation with our concussion doctor in Austin if you’ve gone through a concussion-inducing incident.
Concussions FAQs
What are concussions?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that leads to concentration problems, memory loss, balance problems, severe headaches, and other negative effects on your brain function. In most cases, concussions are caused by sudden and severe blows to the head, such as through accidents, sports injuries, violent shaking of the head, and other head injuries. Falls are the most common causes of concussions, and athletes engaging in contact sports have a particularly high risk of concussions. Most people recover fully after a concussion, but you must contact a medical expert promptly.
What are the symptoms of concussions?
The signs and symptoms of concussions don’t always show up instantly. In some cases, the symptoms of a concussion may gradually appear after several days and last for weeks or months. Without proper care, the symptoms can continue worsening, leading to severe and long-term complications, such as post-traumatic vertigo, post-concussive syndrome, and more. You should contact our concussion doctor in Austin when you notice the early signs and symptoms of concussions.
The following are the signs and symptoms of concussions:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Mental fogginess
- Confusion
- Amnesia of the event
- Dizziness
- Temporary loss of consciousness (sometimes)
- Dazed appearance
- Forgetfulness
- Speech slurring
- Delayed response
- Concentration problems
- Memory loss
- Increased photosensitivity
- Irritability
- Personality changes
- Sleep problems
- Disorders related to smell and taste
What are the causes of concussions?
The brain is a jelly-like organism protected by the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid and a hard skull. If you sustain a sudden and traumatic head injury or if your head is violently shaken back and forth, the brain can slide around and bump against the walls of the skull. These events can temporarily affect your brain function, leading to the signs and symptoms of concussions, which may last for days, weeks, or months. In severe cases, the brain injury may also lead to internal bleeding, which can be potentially fatal.
How are concussions
diagnosed and treated?
At the Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin, our neurologic experts will evaluate the signs and symptoms of your condition, conduct a thorough neurological examination of your vision, hearing, reflexes, balance, coordination, and strength, provide cognitive tests, and perform imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, to determine if you have a concussion. Based on the observation of our concussion doctor in Austin, you will receive a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan to manage the symptoms and help you recover completely.
