If you suffer head trauma, you can potentially sustain a brain injury. The mildest of these is a concussion, but it can still leave you struggling with a variety of health consequences that linger for days or weeks. Often, you may also experience delayed symptoms that could impact your daily life while also making the pursuit of compensation via a personal injury claim more complex.
What Is a Concussion?
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that occur as a result of jolts or blows to the head that are forceful enough to cause the brain to shift or twist. Car accidents, especially at high speeds, as well as falls, assaults, and sports accidents, are the most common causes of concussions.
When the brain moves within the skull, temporary cellular and chemical changes occur that can affect cognition and lead to an array of symptoms, including:
- Ringing in the ears
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Amnesia regarding the event
- Slurred speech
If you experience symptoms like these after an accident, it is critical to seek professional medical care as soon as possible.
Why Do Delayed Concussion Symptoms Occur?
These injuries disturb the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain, but the changes may not be immediate. One key reason delayed symptoms occur is that the chemical changes that cause them can take hours or days to become apparent. You might not experience any discomfort for days after an accident or injury, which could lead you to assume you’re fine.
Additionally, inflammation may reduce blood flow to specific areas of the brain, which can cause headache and cognitive issues. You may also experience a significant amount of adrenaline right after the incident that caused the head trauma. Adrenaline can conceal or dull pain until the shock of the experience wears off.
How Are Delayed Concussion Symptoms Diagnosed?
A doctor may diagnose a concussion by reviewing your symptoms, asking how the injury happened, and performing a neurological exam. This may include checking your balance, coordination, vision, hearing, reflexes, memory, and concentration. Concussion evaluations may also include cognitive testing and imaging in some situations.
A CT scan or MRI may be used if a doctor is concerned about bleeding, swelling, skull fractures, or another serious injury. However, these tests do not always show a concussion because concussions usually affect how the brain functions rather than causing a visible structural injury.
For that reason, it is important to tell your doctor about every symptom you are experiencing, even if it seems minor. Medical records can also help connect your symptoms to the accident if you later need to file an injury claim.
Typical Treatment Options for a Delayed Concussion
Treatment for a concussion usually begins with rest and careful monitoring. A doctor may recommend limiting screen time, avoiding strenuous activity, and taking a short break from work, school, sports, or other demanding tasks. As symptoms improve, you may be gradually cleared to return to normal activities.
Some people may need additional treatment, such as:
- Physical therapy for balance or neck problems
- Vision therapy for eye-tracking issues
- Medication for headaches or nausea
- Sleep support
- Cognitive therapy for memory or concentration problems
You should not return to sports, heavy exercise, or risky physical activity until a healthcare provider clears you to do so. A second head injury before the first concussion heals can lead to more serious complications.
Contact the Austin Brain Injury Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Delayed concussion symptoms can disrupt your health, work, and quality of life long after an accident. If someone else caused your head injury, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you have suffered, but you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. An attorney can help you file a claim and pursue the compensation you need.
For more information, contact an experienced Austin brain injury lawyer at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve clients throughout Austin, TX in Travis County, as well as Salt Lake City, UT in Salt Lake County.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City, UT Office
650 S 500 W Suite 290, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 462-7630
