A concussion is one of the most common head traumas you can sustain. Some think concussions are only minor injuries. However, if the injury is severe, your concussion can have serious complications.
Doctors grade concussions on a scale from mild to severe, depending on factors like loss of equilibrium, memory and consciousness. The severity of your concussion depends on how traumatic the injury was and its resulting symptoms.
Common concussion symptoms
Concussions are not easy to diagnose. According to WebMD, signs of a concussion may not appear for days or even weeks after your injury. There are specific physical, emotional or mental symptoms to watch for if you think you might have a concussion. These include:
- Headache
- Sluggish or clumsy movement
- Feeling dazed or confused
- Dizziness or lack of balance
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating or recalling memories
The three grades of a concussion
- Grade 1: Mild—If you did not lose consciousness and your symptoms lasted for under 15 minutes, you probably have a mild concussion.
- Grade 2: Moderate—Like with a mild concussion, you did not lose consciousness. However, any symptoms you experienced lasted for more than 15 minutes.
- Grade 3: Severe—Consciousness loss signifies a grade 3 concussions. Even if you only experience unconsciousness for a few seconds, you may have a grade 3 concussion.
If you think you have a concussion and experience any of these symptoms but no consciousness loss, you may want to seek medical advice. A doctor can tell you if you need further treatment. If you experience consciousness loss, however brief, seek medical attention immediately.
