Getting involved in a car wreck in West Virginia can shake your head violently, causing a concussion. If this occurs, you’ll likely have symptoms develop. Understanding how this mild traumatic brain injury happens and how to treat it is essential to stay as healthy as possible.
What happens when a concussion occurs?
Motor vehicle accidents can occur quickly, causing you to sustain a concussion. This injury happens due to the force of the impact when your vehicle hits another car or object. Your head can whip back and forth in this situation, causing your brain to slam the inside of your skull, which can cause damage.
Injury grades
Three injury grades are associated with concussions. If you have a Grade 1 injury, there’s no loss of consciousness, and amnesia is absent or present for less than 30 minutes. A Grade 2 injury occurs when you have amnesia between 30 minutes and 24 hours or lose consciousness for less than 5 minutes. Grade 3 injuries include amnesia for more than 24 hours or loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes. It’s essential to visit an emergency room if you’ve lost consciousness.
Symptoms associated with concussions
Symptoms can last up to four weeks if you’ve had a concussion but may not be noticed until you resume normal activities. Headaches, memory issues, sleeping troubles and mood changes are common symptoms. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision. Most individuals make a full recovery after suffering a concussion. If your symptoms worsen or you haven’t improved in 2 to 3 weeks, it’s best to call your primary care doctor.
Treatment for concussions
After experiencing a concussion in a motor vehicle accident, rest is critical. It’s essential to get more sleep than usual and avoid exerting your body. Resting your mind is also vital. Avoid mental activities that require concentration, including TV watching, video game play or computer use. If you experience headaches, Tylenol is recommended. Medications like ibuprofen and aspirin can cause bleeding.
Rest is the best way to heal after suffering a concussion. You may want to visit the ER if you experience excessive sleepiness, confusion, nausea and vomiting.
