Is a concussion serious?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Concussion is usually a mild condition where the brain has been injured. Clinically, it manifests as temporary disturbances in consciousness, typically not exceeding half an hour. Another symptom is recent memory loss, as the individual cannot recall the events during the injury. There may also be a decrease in blood pressure or pallor at the time of the injury. Following the injury, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, memory decline, lack of concentration, or tinnitus can occur. Generally, with 1-2 weeks of treatment, most people can recover from a concussion, so it is not considered a very serious condition.

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Mild concussion sequelae

Mild concussions generally do not have any lasting effects. After a mild concussion, as long as one rests well, maintains a good mindset, and uses medication when necessary, along with symptomatic supportive treatment, the vast majority of people can fully recover within one to two weeks without any lasting effects. Only a few people, due to psychological and mental factors, may continue to experience symptoms that are difficult to improve for more than three months. In these cases, we consider these to be the after-effects of mild concussion, which mainly manifest as headaches, dizziness, dry heaving, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration, memory decline, slow reactions, irritability, and a bad temper, among others.

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Symptoms of concussion

The primary symptoms of concussion mainly manifest as, initially, disturbances in consciousness such as patient comas, typically lasting no longer than half an hour. The second is recent memory loss, where the patient is unable to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of injury, the patient may also appear pale and experience a drop in blood pressure. Post-injury symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, poor sleep, reduced memory, lack of concentration, and even tinnitus among various other clinical manifestations.

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What are the dangers of a concussion?

In general, as long as one follows medical advice, recovery from a concussion is usually quite satisfactory, and it rarely leaves any long-term harm. Short-term harm can result in the patient experiencing some very painful symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. Such subjective experiences can comparatively make the patient suffer. For those who are emotionally excited or fragile, it may even lead to anxiety and depression, which are some of the recent damages. In the long term, some patients might experience a loss of memory, particularly short-term memory, which can also cause some inconvenience in their lives. However, overall, the damage from a concussion is very minimal, and as long as it is treated properly, there is generally no harm in the later stages.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What should be done for a concussion?

Patients with concussion generally experience fear and anxiety, so it is important to keep them calm and avoid disturbing them as much as possible. Some psychological communication with the patient can help maintain a calm state of mind. Secondly, closely observe the patient's general condition and changes in consciousness to prevent delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Thirdly, administer symptomatic medication as needed, such as pain relievers and sleep aids for symptoms like headache and insomnia. Fourthly, use medications that promote the recovery of nerve cells for treatment.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is a concussion considered a minor injury?

Patients with concussion exhibit a brief disturbance in consciousness due to injury, which does not last more than half an hour. They also experience recent memory loss, meaning patients cannot recall the circumstances of the injury. Additionally, some patients may experience a range of clinical symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, lack of concentration, and decreased memory. The vast majority of concussion patients can recover with one to two weeks of rest. Furthermore, head CT scans of concussion patients do not show any organic changes. Therefore, concussions are generally not considered minor injuries.