Some Symptoms May Not Appear for Weeks or Months
There’s a common misconception that, when you sustain a concussion (essentially, a mild traumatic brain injury, or TBI), you can expect to experience symptoms almost immediately. If you don’t, you may be tempted to believe you’re fine. That’s not necessarily true, though. Some of the warning signs of a concussion can take weeks or even months to fully manifest.
What Symptoms Tend to Show Up Soon After a Concussion or Other TBI?
The most common symptom associated with a TBI is a headache, which can start almost instantaneously with impact. In cases of mild TBIs (concussions), headaches typically subside or go away within a few hours, even though you may have swelling or inflammation in your brain, which can continue to cause pressure and discomfort in your head.
Additionally, if you are going to lose consciousness as a result of a TBI, which happens often but not always, you are most likely to experience that in the moments following the blow to your head. Provided that you allow your brain to rest, it should stabilize within a day or so, dramatically minimizing the risk of further unconsciousness.
What Symptoms Might Take Longer to Appear?
Many other symptoms of TBI can range from mild to severe and may not be apparent for months or even years. Such symptoms can include the following:
- Fatigue or listlessness
- Interruptions in sleep patterns, including insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Changes in your sense of smell or taste
- Depression, anxiety, or mood shifts
- Cognitive impairment, such as loss of attention span or focus, difficulties with computation or communication, and challenges following dialogue or reading
- Vertigo, dizziness, or loss of balance
- Increased sensitivity to light
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion or other TBI. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
