The terms “concussion” and “brain trauma” are often used to describe injuries caused by a blow to the head or sudden jarring. Both can result in impaired thinking, vision, balance and consciousness. The symptoms of a concussion or blow to the head may appear immediately but may also appear days or weeks later. These symptoms are usually temporary, but sometimes, damage may last for a long time – or may even be permanent.
Symptoms of a concussion may include:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Impaired vision
- Lack of balance
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of memory
- Loss of consciousness
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. While concussions rarely require a trip to the emergency room, it is important that a trained expert see you for an initial evaluation and follow-up in order to monitor your symptoms and determine when you are ready to resume your normal activity. If you experience a second concussion before you are fully healed, you could suffer something called second impact syndrome – a condition that is often fatal and almost always leads to permanent damage.
In sports, concussion is one of the injuries most commonly suffered by athletes, but it is also one of the most commonly misunderstood. At Novant Health, our primary care sports medicine physicians have advanced training in sports concussion evaluation and management.
If you suffer a head injury or think you may have a concussion, make an appointment with one of our concussion experts by calling 704-316-SPRT (7778). This hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by nurses who can answer questions about your condition and schedule your appointment.
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