Are They the Same? If Not, What’s the Difference?
You’ve been in an accident and suffered some type of blow or bump to the head. You may or may not have lost consciousness. Have you suffered a concussion or is it a traumatic brain injury? Is there a difference? If so, what makes an injury a concussion, and not a TBI?
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is any event that causes damage or physical disturbance to or in your brain. It is contrasted with other types of brain injury that may be caused by disease or degenerative conditions.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a form of brain injury, typically involving short term loss of brain function. It may result from impact to your brain, or it may be the result of having your head thrust violent backward or forward, causing your brain to bounce off the inside of your skull. A concussion is not different from a traumatic brain injury—instead, it’s a common term used to describe a milder form traumatic brain injury.
Are the Symptoms the Same for a Concussion and a Traumatic Brain Injury?
As a general rule, yes, though the symptoms of a TBI are generally considered to be more severe. For example, a concussion may be accompanied by headache or neck pain, dizziness or fatigue, nausea, a ringing in the ears, or a general feeling of lethargy or disorientation. When more serious symptoms are present, such as convulsions, seizures or loss of consciousness, the injury will typically be diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury.
Because the symptoms of either a concussion or a TBI may be similar, and may take days or weeks to fully manifest, you should always seek medical care after any type of head trauma. Your primary care physician can conduct the necessary assessment and either start a regimen of care or refer you to a specialist.
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, TBI or traumatic brain injury. 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.
