What Happens in Your Body When You Suffer a Concussion?
If you’ve been in any type of accident—a motor vehicle collision, a workplace incident or a slip and fall—and you’ve have a bump or blow to the head, or had your neck or head snapped violently back and forth, you may start experiencing the symptoms of a concussion:
- Persistent and severe headaches
- Vertigo, loss of balance, dizziness or lightheadedness
- Heightened sensitivity to sound or light
- Disorientation, confusion or difficulty with any type of mental process
- Changes in your sleep habits or pattern, including either insomnia or extreme fatigue
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety or uncharacteristic irritation
When any of the above symptoms are present, you should immediately seek medical attention. Often, the best place to start is your primary care physician, who will be able to conduct the necessary assessment and either prescribe a regimen of care or refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or physiatrist.
What Is Happening In Your Brain When You Suffer a Concussion?
Even though your brain is encased in a dense and hard shell (your skull), the brain itself is soft and spongy, and surrounded by fluid. The fluid acts, in part, as a cushion between your brain and your skull. You can suffer a concussion when you’re in any type of incident that causes your brain to bounce off your skull or twist inside your skull. That can happen with any impact with another object or when the rest of your body comes to a sudden stop, causing your neck to snap back and forth. The impact of your brain with the inside of your skull can stretch or damage brain cells and result in chemical changes inside your brain. That’s the essence of a concussion.
The most common causes of concussions are motor vehicle accidents, contact sports and slips and falls.
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.