What are the dangers of a concussion?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on October 30, 2024
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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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Is a concussion serious?

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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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How long does it take for a concussion to occur?

Concussion is a mild type of cranial trauma, typically characterized by temporary disturbances in consciousness, such as a coma not exceeding half an hour, along with retrograde amnesia, meaning the inability to recall specific details of the incident. Patients may experience lower blood pressure, pale complexion, as well as symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, tinnitus, blindness, lack of concentration, and memory decline. Most concussion symptoms appear immediately after the injury, and there is usually no latent period.

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General Surgery
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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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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol with a concussion?

Patients with concussions typically experience transient disturbances of consciousness after injury, such as coma, along with recent memory loss. Some also suffer from various degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, and other clinical symptoms. The diet for concussion patients should be light and easy to digest, avoiding spicy foods and other strong irritants, as well as avoiding alcohol, since alcohol can aggravate symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. Therefore, patients with concussions should not drink alcohol.

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General Surgery
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How to deal with vomiting from a concussion?

Concussion usually manifests as temporary consciousness disorder and immediate amnesia, meaning the inability to recall specific details at the time. Some patients also experience a series of clinical symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and memory decline. If a patient with a concussion vomits, the first step should be to conduct a head CT to rule out the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage. In addition, symptomatic treatment can be actively provided, with metoclopramide commonly used for intramuscular injection.