Date: 5/2/2004 10:25:00 AM
From Authorid: 62408
Most common symptoms after a concussion tend to occur immediately after a head injury. The ones you explained are the lasting ones as the concussion heals. I had a mild concussion myself once, stupidly when I was taking vegetables out of the bin in the fridge, and came up suddenly, banging my head on the top of the fridge. Knocked myself right on my tush. Gave myself a really nasty headache, and made the error of lying down to cure it and fell asleep for two hours. (I blame my mom for that one, she should not have let me sleep). Anyway, after any type of injury to the head, a person will obviously fill pain. The next obvious symptoms are the following: swelling or bruising in the injured area (in which case an ice pack will help); nausea; blurred vision; dilated pupils or pupils that have a slower ability to react to stimulation; dizziness; loss of conciousness; slurred speech; etc. All of this depends on the severity of the concussion of course. It sounds to me like you do have a mild concussion. I would call your primary care doctor first thing tomorrow, or if the symptoms worsen, go to the emergency room. Most likely, they will just keep you on tylenol or something similiar...tell you to rest, etc...but best to be safe. Also, I would have someone monitor your sleeping if you happen to notice you are more tired than usual. Although that is common after being in an auto accident with the sore muscles, shock, etc., I would either set an alarm, or have someone wake you every two to three hours, even during the night, just as a precaution. That is common treatment for someone with a concussion, or at least how I was taught to treat concussions in my nursing classes when I went through them before I had to leave college, and when I got my medical assistant degree, even though I'm not currently working due to my health issues. Also I remember a lot from my first aid classes we had to take way back in 6th grade. (I was 12 then, I'm 25 now)...then there's my personal experience from being extremely accident prone.  LOL. If our local ER gave frequent flier miles, I'd be guaranteed my own private suite by the time I'm ready for the maternity ward whenever I'm married and ready to have children. LOL.  |
