Because both contusions and concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury TBI , and because both are often the result of a fall or blow to the head, it's easy to confuse the two. Even more confusing is the fact that you can have both at the same time. A contusion does not mean you have a concussion, but some contusions are caused by head trauma so severe that the damage affects a larger portion of your brain. Likewise, a concussion does not necessarily indicate a contusion, since shaking and other brain injuries can produce brain damage without visible bruising.
Download our Simplified Guide to Understanding a Brain Injury for more details on the anatomy of injuries to the brain. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the effects of head contusions. Depending on the severity of a contusion, it's possible to experience no symptoms at all, aside from some minor pain or swelling on the area where you hit your head. When symptoms are present, they range from minor to life-threatening, and can include:.
Contusions in the head can vary in severity depending on their location and the amount of internal bleeding that occurs.
Common head injuries resulting from blows to the head such as from walking into an object headfirst, being struck with a baseball, or similar events can result in a mild contusion.
Mild head contusions often only have surface bruising at the site of the impact, and may be associated with some pain at the injury site, but with no noticeable long-term effects. Moderate contusions may cause internal bleeding near or around the brain, and are often caused by more severe head traumas. These contusions may be accompanied by concussions, and can cause more severe symptoms, such as short-term memory loss, difficulty focusing, and loss of consciousness. Severe contusions can be life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention.
When these contusions occur in the brain, they can result in concussion-like symptoms and are extremely frequently paired with concussions. Severe contusions should always be treated as soon as possible to prevent or limit permanent harm. Even with treatment, there may be permanent damage—although prompt care can limit the severity of these effects.
Contusion treatment options will vary depending on the severity of the contusion and its location in the head. Mild contusions may go away with the simple passage of time. Contusion treatment regimens should be prescribed by an expert physician after undergoing a thorough examination.
During the examination, doctors may:. The recovery time for a contusion varies based on the severity of the injury and the treatment regimen. Some minor contusions can clear up in a few days with nothing more than simple bed rest and mild medication. Other contusions can takes weeks or even months to heal—especially if invasive surgery was required to alleviate pressure on the brain. For especially severe contusions, post-op recovery can be a long process as patients rebuild their physical stamina and ability to coordinate.
There are different types of concussions that vary in severity depending on the location of the injury, the amount of force involved, and whether any hematomas i.
Mild concussions can occur as the result of a hard blow to the head or severe shaking—such as from being hit in the head with a hard object or suffering mild whiplash during a hard stop in a car. Moderate concussions are caused by more severe impacts to the brain—such as those caused in vehicular accidents or by acts of violence.
These concussions are often accompanied by internal bleeding in or near the brain i. A concussion may be considered severe or a Grade 3 concussion if it results in a temporary loss of consciousness. These concussions always warrant immediate medical attention from a trained professional, and may have permanent effects on coordination, speech, and cognition.
In most cases, the diagnosis and treatment of a concussion is similar to that of a head contusion—the doctor will make a thorough inspection of the injury, and may prescribe bed rest, medication, or surgery as needed based on their observations. One general concussion protocol to remember when it comes to treatment is this: The sooner you can seek treatment for a concussion, the better. Leaving a head injury undiagnosed and untreated for too long can result in severe, long-lasting effects. Concussion recovery times can vary greatly from one case to the next based on a variety of factors.
For example, a mild concussion with no epidural or subdural hematomas blood clots in the brain can take mere days to fully recover from, if any symptoms are noticeable in the first place.
Meanwhile, a severe concussion can take years to recover from—if a full recovery is even possible in the first place. Some severe concussions can cause permanent brain damage that is impossible to recover from.
Wondering how you can test for a concussion or contusion? Concussion testing is often done for athletes such as football players and boxers well before any head injuries can occur. These tests should be the same as whatever tests you plan to use for a post-injury concussion check. There are numerous testing methods that can be used to assess the likelihood of a concussion after an injury.
Interestingly, a CT Scan would only take about five minutes to show the bleed. Whereas an MRI could take up to 45 minutes or longer. There are a number of symptoms of a concussion. Headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness are all signs that your brain has been affected. The next day, you may have trouble getting up out of bed. Not just the normal sleepiness either.
When you have head trauma and notice it is harder than usual to get out of bed, notify your doctor. If you have any memory problems, like forgetting where you were, this could be because you had a concussion. Take note if you are feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or disoriented, this is also caused by a concussion. Even if you have a slight chance of getting a concussion, it is still best to stay home and rest.
Concussions are common and commonly go undiagnosed. Usually, hospitalization is warranted in order to have the individual go through several different tests. Also, it is in a hospital setting wherein he or she can be observed properly.
Some of the tests that may be done in order to determine the location and severity of the concussion include ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging MRI. Mild cases of contusion may require very little medical attention. A person who incurred a mild contusion only needs to rest, although he or she may require further observations. There are cases, too, wherein coma or even death may ensure because of an intensive trauma to the brain. Unlike a contusion, there is no physical damage to the brain.
It is characterized by an alteration in the functioning of the brain. Despite the absence of a bruise in the brain, someone who incurred a concussion still requires immediate medical attention. There are certain risks involved especially when the fact that the brain moves back and forth in the skull is considered. By the way, concussions are very common among those who engage in contact sports.
Experts say car accidents are some of the most usual causes of concussions. Some of the symptoms of a concussion are so mild that they tend to be unnoticeable, and they can stay around for several weeks or sometimes months. Loss of consciousness is one of the immediate symptoms of a concussion. A person who incurred it may also experience tinnitus ringing in the ears , headaches, dizziness, slurred speech, sensitivity to light and even changes in personality.
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