English
SpanishA delayed concussion is a type of injury that can occur after an initial head injury. It may not be apparent for hours or days—sometimes even months—after the initial incident.
It can cause initial symptoms (and at times delayed symptoms) like confusion, headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, memory problems, blurry vision, loss of consciousness, and others.
In extreme cases, a delayed concussion may cause permanent brain damage.
Delayed concussions can occur from car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and other causes.
In this article, we will review the causes and symptoms related to delayed concussions.
Causes of Concussions
Concussions can be caused by a direct blow or jolt to the head, face, neck, and shoulders. This impact causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth inside the skull, resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The most common causes of this type of injury include:
- Contact Sports: Sports such as football, rugby, soccer and boxing have a high risk of concussion due to the physical contact between players. This is why these sports have concussion protocols to address and manage head injuries.
Every year in the U.S., approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions are recorded, with 10% of all contact sport athletes sustaining a concussion annually. Brain injuries tragically cause more fatalities among athletes than any other sporting injury or mishap.
- Violent Crimes: Physical assaults can lead to severe concussions. Studies reveal that post-TBI aggression was significantly linked to the emergence of major depression, diminished social functioning, and increased dependency on carrying out day-to-day activities.
- Falls: Slip and falls have been reported in numerous studies as one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussions. Every year, an estimated 1.5 million Americans survive TBI, with approximately 230,000 needing to be hospitalized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
- Combat-Related Exposure: Blast exposure has become an increasingly common cause of TBI—including concussions—in military personnel. A 2014 study discovered that military veterans who had experienced multiple blast exposures over long durations were more likely to experience depression and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than those who only experienced a single blast event.
- Car Accidents/Motorcycle Accidents: Head trauma may happen during car or motorcycle accidents, especially if the passengers or the driver/rider are not wearing a seatbelt or helmet. Every year, motor vehicle collisions are estimated to cause more than 218,000 emergency department visits, almost 57,000 hospitalizations, and more than 16,000 fatalities.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Here are some early and persistent signs of concussion:
Vestibular Symptoms
Vestibular symptoms are a common symptom of a concussion and can include dizziness, vertigo, lack of balance, light-headedness, and vision disturbances. Post-concussive dizziness may last anywhere from days to months following the injury.
For example, some concussion patients may experience symptoms such as difficulty focusing on objects close up or far away, while others report feeling “off balance” when walking or standing.
In severe cases, people may experience more debilitating symptoms like nausea and vomiting due to stimulation of the inner ear vestibular system.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy has been found to be effective in helping reduce symptoms in those with a mild concussion or moderate post-concussion dizziness, or in helping patients regain their sense of balance.
Ocular-Motor Symptoms
Ocular-motor symptoms are a common symptom of concussion. This type of symptom refers to any eye movements related to vision, such as tracking and focusing, that may be impaired following a head injury.
Examples of ocular-motor symptoms include difficulty tracking objects with the eyes, blurry or double vision, loss of eye contact, and difficulty reading or writing.
In some cases, damage to the cranial nerves that control eye movement can cause temporary or permanent paralysis in some parts of the eye muscles. This type of eye muscle paralysis can prevent proper use of the visual system—resulting in blurred vision, double vision and light sensitivity, among other symptoms.
These symptoms can also contribute to dizziness, nausea and lightheadedness.
While they may resolve independently, it’s important to seek medical attention and advice from a medical professional, especially if you believe you have suffered a concussion.
Headache
Headache is one of the most common symptoms associated with a concussion. This symptom can range from mild to debilitating and, in some cases, can even be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
In more severe cases, tension headaches, migraines, and other types of headaches may last for days, weeks, or even months after a concussion.
Other symptoms accompanying a headache include sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, balance problems, and difficulty thinking clearly.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms are a common symptom of a concussion and occur due to the brain being affected by trauma. Examples include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, processing information, and confusion.
These symptoms can persist for weeks or even months after the initial injury and greatly hinder an individual’s cognitive functioning.
For instance, those who suffer from concussion-related cognitive impairments may have difficulty performing tasks requiring concentration or multitasking abilities. They may also struggle with remembering things such as appointments or events due to memory loss.
Difficulty understanding or processing information is another common indicator of cognitive impairment caused by a concussion; this could manifest in slower response times when responding to questions or instructions.
Feeling disoriented and confused is another common sign of concussion-related cognitive impairments. Individuals suffering from these symptoms may find their situation overwhelming and struggle to make sense of what’s going on around them.
Therefore, it’s important for those who experience a head injury to be aware of the potential cognitive impairments that could arise afterward and take action to minimize their effects.
Mood-Related Symptoms
Mood-related symptoms can range from feeling irritable or aggressive to sad or anxious, which can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life. People with a concussion may also become easily angered, experience mood swings, or even depression.
For example, someone may feel so overwhelmed with sadness that they cannot find joy in activities they normally enjoy.
Others become extremely angry at minor annoyances or may begin to feel anxiety about their normal daily routines as if something bad will happen.
People with concussions also often report significant changes in their sleep patterns. This can include difficulty sleeping, increased fatigue due to disrupted sleep cycles, or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping).
Delayed Concussion Symptoms
Delayed concussion symptoms, or post-concussion syndrome, is a common yet often overlooked consequence of head trauma.
It is important to watch for signs of delayed concussion symptoms and get medical attention if they occur. If any common signs appear in the days or weeks following a head trauma, it is critical to seek professional concussion treatment from an experienced neurologist or specialist.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a debilitating collection of symptoms that can occur following a mild head injury or a concussion. PCS can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination. It may also involve depression and/or anxiety.
Symptoms of PCS can last for weeks to months after the initial injury, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities.
The most common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome are persistent headaches, cognitive problems such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things, sensitivity to noise and light, irritability or mood swings, dizziness or vertigo, and fatigue and sleep disturbances.
In some cases, people may also experience depression and anxiety.
These symptoms can impact daily life by interfering with work performance, relationships, and recreational activities.
If You’re Experiencing Delayed Concussion Symptoms, You May Be Entitled to Compensation
Head trauma can have long-term, debilitating effects even if the injury initially seems minor. If you or someone you know has suffered a head injury and is now experiencing delayed concussion symptoms, it’s important to know your legal options.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Frantz Law Group understand the complexities of brain injuries and are dedicated to helping those in need to seek the compensation they deserve.
At Frantz Law Group, we have over 120 years of combined experience representing clients in traumatic brain injury cases and have a proven track record of successful outcomes for our clients. We understand the unique challenges associated with a head injury, and strive to provide compassionate advocacy services for TBI victims.
Don’t let yourself or your loved one become overwhelmed by expensive medical bills and debt related to a traumatic brain injury.
Reach out to Frantz Law Group today to discuss your legal options!