Identifying the Different Levels of Head Trauma
When you’ve sustained any type of blow or bump to the head, you can suffer a concussion, even if the impact was minor and your symptoms are mild. Medical professionals generally categorize concussions as:
- Grade One, or mild, where you have symptoms that last for less than 15 minutes, and where you have not experienced any loss of consciousness or attention
- Grade Two, or moderate, where your symptoms last for over 15 minutes, but still do not include any loss of consciousness
- Grade Three, or severe, where you have lost attention or consciousness for any length of time, even just a few seconds
You should seek immediate medical attention any time you experience trauma to your head, even if your symptoms are mild. If you are rendered unconscious by the blow to the head, you should seek immediate medical attention at a hospital or urgent care facility. If, on the other hand, you’ve had trauma to your head, but no loss of consciousness, your first step should be to see your primary care physician, who can perform a preliminary assessment and refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or physiatrist, if necessary.
After a Grade One or Grade Two concussion, you should wait until the symptoms of a concussion have subsided before returning to normal day-to-day activities. If you’ve lost consciousness because of a head injury, you should defer to your doctor’s recommendations regarding when you can start participating in regular activities.
Symptoms to Watch Out for after a Head Injury
Among the common indications of a concussion are:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme sensitivity to noise or light
- Short or long-term memory lapses
- A ringing in your ears
- Vertigo, dizziness or balance issues
- Confusion, mental fog or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in your sleep patterns—either insomnia or excessive fatigue
- Mood swings or behavioral changes
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.
