What Happens If a Concussion Is Untreated?
A concussion is a very common type of traumatic brain injury. Often caused by a bump or jolt to the head, this injury can significantly impact your brain function without prompt treatment. An untreated concussion can result in serious, life-impacting complications, which are sometimes even fatal.
If you experience any type of head injury, it is imperative to seek medical care as soon as possible. The longer that a concussion goes untreated, the more severe the side effects can be. Talk to a Syracuse traumatic brain injury lawyer from Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, today.
Concussions – Reviewing the Basics
Concussions occur as the result of damage to the brain’s movement against the interior portion of the skull. Often, when there is a strong level of force impacting a person, with rapid forward and backward movement, the brain will slam into the skull, causing damage to the tissues present. This back-and-forth movement, which can cause damage to various areas of the brain, may not cause outright symptoms right away, but depending on the severity of it, it could lead to numerous complications to brain tissue.
Concussion grading is important. It is essentially important because, if you do not know you have a concussion because it is mild, you could be putting yourself at risk for complications without knowing it. If you were struck in the head or involved in an accident that caused your head to move back and forth rapidly or be struck by an object, seek medical care. Your doctor will then assign a grade of severity to it:
- Grade 1 concussions: These typically do not cause a loss of consciousness. There is no amnesia present. Most people only have mild symptoms that improve in 30 minutes.
- Grade 2 concussions: This form of concussion typically causes a loss of consciousness for under five minutes. A person may also or alternatively have amnesia that lasts for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. This is a more serious form requiring medical support.
- Grade 3 concussions: This is a condition that causes loss of consciousness for 5 minutes or more and amnesia that extends for more than 24 hours.
Not all concussions have obvious outward signs of injury. That is why it is so important for individuals to seek out medical care no matter how they feel after an accident.
Common Causes and Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussions are especially dangerous brain injuries because you may not notice any signs at first. Symptoms of a concussion may not appear for days or even weeks following the injury. When a victim does feel concussion symptoms, he or she may experience the following.
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Amnesia
- Slurred speech
- Forgetfulness
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Delayed responses
There are many activities and incidents that can cause a concussion. These injuries are particularly common during sports or in high-risk jobs like construction. Accidents like motor vehicle collisions or slips and falls may also lead to concussions.
Complications Due to Untreated Concussions
An untreated concussion can lead to serious complications. You may suffer from long-term physical difficulties or experience significant emotional and psychological problems. Without prompt treatment, an untreated concussion can even be fatal.
It is common for an untreated concussion to lead to memory problems, concentration issues, and sudden personality changes. You may develop sensitivity to light and noise and experience persistent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog.
Additionally, you could develop any of the following long-term conditions.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome: If you experience persistent concussion symptoms that do not go away after a few weeks, you likely have post-concussion syndrome. This condition causes headaches, dizziness, irritability, tinnitus, insomnia, and many other unpleasant symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Vertigo: This condition refers to dizziness that follows a head injury like a concussion. You can suffer difficulties getting out of bed or moving your head. It can be very difficult to live with post-traumatic vertigo, which can last for a very long time following the initial injury.
- Second Impact Syndrome: This condition develops when you sustain a second concussion before the first injury has a chance to heal. As a result, you can experience severe and sometimes fatal brain swelling. Second impact syndrome can occur days or weeks following the initial injury from even mild trauma.
What Treatments Are Available?
Seeking medical care is critical to supporting the health and well-being of your brain. No matter what you feel, get to the emergency room if you are hit in the head, suffer a head blow in a sporting accident, or are struck in a car accident. Your doctor will provide specific therapy options but often will include:
- Rest: Allowing the brain to rest in a quiet environment for a duration of time can be very important.
- Avoid physical exertion and any mental activities that require mental concentration. That means you should not play video games, watch TV, text, or work until your doctor clears you.
- Pain management through the use of over-the-counter medications may be recommended.
If you notice any changes to the way you feel or your symptoms continue to worsen, seek out an appointment with a doctor or go to the emergency room again. That includes excessive sleepiness, increased vomiting, headaches that are worsening, or seizures. If you have trouble talking, walking, or seeing, you should also seek help from your doctor immediately. While limited confusion is common, any significant change in confusion, agitation, moodiness, or restlessness should be reported to your doctor right away.
Legal Options After You Develop a Concussion
Sometimes, concussions are completely accidental and occur due to the fault of no one. However, in other cases, another person or entity’s actions are responsible for our injuries. If you develop a concussion due to someone else’s actions, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party responsible for your concussion. Through your claim, you can recover damages to pay for medical care, lost wages, property damage, and many other losses.
To initiate your concussion injury claim, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. A New York brain injury lawyer can conduct a full investigation into your case and identify your optimal path to recovery. After your accident, speak to a lawyer and take your first steps toward compensation. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.