Each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the wake of some kind of accident. Of those millions, many will go on to lead drastically-impacted lives and will struggle with physical and mental problems.
After a head injury, it can be difficult to determine if the affected person has sustained a concussion that will heal naturally, or if they are experiencing more serious warning signs that could indicate a TBI. When observing someone with a concussion, here are five symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
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Difficulty Thinking and Speaking
With a serious concussion, a person may feel their mind start to slow down. This can cause them to struggle with memory problems, concentration, speech, and clear thinking. If the mental struggles are severe enough to be noticeable, this can be a sign of a more serious brain injury.
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Excessive Sleepiness
Although fatigue is a common symptom of concussions, it’s not a good sign when the affected person can’t stay awake for very long. If it’s difficult to keep them lucid or if they don’t respond to wake-up calls once they fall asleep, then you should return to the emergency room for further observation and testing.
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Seizures or Convulsions
No matter what, these symptoms require further medical attention. A simple concussion with no long-lasting repercussions will not trigger worrisome seizures or convulsions.
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Increasing Nausea
It’s normal for people with concussions to feel nauseous, but if they continue to feel increasingly sick and vomit many times, then it might be time to seek further medical attention to ensure there are no underlying issues.
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Worsening Headaches that Won’t Subside
Headaches are a very common concussion symptom, but as time passes, the headaches should lessen. Also, they should be treatable with normal pain medication. If the injured person claims that the headaches are getting worse and that the medication isn’t helping, they need to seek additional medical treatment.
If you or someone you know has experienced a TBI as a result of a concussion, don’t hesitate to reach out to the online support group called TryMunity. TryMunity members will offer you the knowledge and support you need to handle this life event.
