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One kind of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that arises from a blow to the head is a concussion. Although concussions are often considered “mild” injuries, they should never be ignored.
Symptoms from concussion can linger for weeks or months after the initial injury. Those symptoms can include headaches, memory problems, dizziness, fatigue, and mood swings.
Headache
Headaches are one of the most common delayed concussion symptoms. They develop several days or weeks after the injury and can feel like migraines. They can also be triggered by light sensitivity or changes in taste and smell.
The headaches can occur because brain pathways that deliver blood and oxygen aren’t functioning normally. Other brain pathways try to compensate, but over time, It can cause them to become exhausted and lead to additional concussion symptoms.
A victim can also experience a change in sleep patterns that leads to insomnia or trouble staying awake. It can exacerbate fatigue and lead to problems with balance, vision, or memory problems.
Dizziness
A severe concussion often causes headaches, dizziness, and balance issues. In most cases, these symptoms come on immediately after a head injury and then fade over a few days or weeks.
When a person sustains a head trauma, the brain violently shifts back and forth inside the skull. It can bruise, swell, and bleed the brain tissue. Ideally, the damaged pathways will recover, and other healthy pathways will deliver the oxygen and information needed for normal functioning.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Some people experience lingering concussion symptoms, known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), for up to a year after the initial injury.
Nausea
During a concussion, your brain shifts violently back and forth inside your skull, causing nerves to bruise and swell. This bruising may interfere with the brain’s normal pathways to relay information and oxygen, resulting in various symptoms, including nausea.
Fortunately, most concussion injuries have clear and visible symptoms that make it easy to recognize. However, delayed concussion symptoms can be challenging to spot, and ignoring them could lead to more severe health complications. It includes an increased risk of re-injury and long-term problems like post-concussion syndrome. These issues can also impact older victims more frequently. They are also more common in women.
Loss of Appetite
If you’re feeling loss of appetite after a head injury, it could be a sign that you have a concussion. This symptom is often caused by changes in brain function, including the blood flow to the brain.
These symptoms may also be caused by a change in hormones, which can cause you to feel less hungry. Consuming nutritious food and water is crucial for maintaining proper hydration.
If you’ve been hit in the head, knowing the warning signs of delayed concussion symptoms will help you decide when to get care.
It’s not uncommon for people to mistake a concussion for other conditions, such as dizziness or headaches, and not get the care they need.
Memory Loss
Many concussion victims experience problems with memory or have trouble concentrating after their injury. These can lead to fatigue, which exacerbates existing symptoms of the condition.
A concussion occurs when a violent blow or jolt causes your brain to shake and twist unpredictably inside your skull, damaging brain tissue. Even “mild” injuries like those from car accidents or falls can cause concussions.
Those changes can create suboptimal pathways for sending information and receiving oxygen, creating a negative cycle that leads to symptoms from headaches to memory loss to irritability. These are often called post-concussive syndrome (PCS). This condition is a serious one that can have lasting impacts on your life.
Anxiety
A concussion can affect how well your body works. Those with delayed symptoms might struggle to cope with the changes and feel down, irritable, or angry.
Patients might also have trouble participating in activities they enjoy because of light or noise sensitivity and other symptoms. They might start dreading certain situations or plans or plan ways to avoid them. It can be a sign of lingering concussion symptoms that could lead to post-concussion syndrome. This disorder includes a wide range of symptoms like memory problems, headaches, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. It can last for months after the injury. It’s also more common in women than men.
Final Thoughts About Delayed Concussion Symptoms
Concussions, often considered “mild” injuries, can have lasting effects. This article explores the persistence of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea weeks or even months after a head injury. Recognizing these delayed concussion symptoms is crucial for timely care. Unfortunately, mistaking them for other conditions can lead to complications, including post-concussion syndrome. Don’t underestimate the importance of identifying these signs for your well-being.
