Concussions and Headaches

If you have ever suffered an injury to the head severe enough to knock you unconscious, you are probably familiar with concussions and their associated headaches. A concussion is actually only a mild form of head injury, however there are many after-effects associated with a concussion. While those who suffer a concussion are advised to see a doctor for a check up, they are usually not required to stay in the hospital an extended period of time. They are also usually allowed to resume normal activities in a few days.

After-Effects of a Concussion

As a result of the injury to the head, many people who suffer a concussion will experience symptoms for two weeks, or even longer in rare cases. The after-effects of a concussion may include feelings of fear and anxiety. After a while these feelings of fear and anxiety may even lead to a bout of depression. If the depression persists, it might start to adversely affect the patient’s decisions about the future, with family and friends eventually suffering from "compassion fatigue." However, it is important to remember that the after-effects of a concussion are not permanent. You should not have problems with any long-term effects if you properly take care of yourself and allow yourself to recuperate.

Common Symptoms Two Weeks After Having a Concussion

There are a variety of symptoms that may accompany a concussion. These symptoms may last up to two weeks before going away. The length of time your symptoms stay around may be directly related to the amount of time you allow yourself to rest and heal from your injury. Common concussion symptoms include headache, dizzy spells, vision problems, trouble concentrating, short term memory loss, irritability, fatigue and clumsiness.

* Headache - As a result of the bruising you sustain during the injury to your head, you will experience headaches immediately after a concussion. This symptom is normal and to be expected. If you do not rest and instead push yourself too hard too soon after your concussion, you will find that your headaches occur more often. In this situation, the headaches are caused more by the stress and fatigue you place your body under rather than the concussion itself. Slowing down and allowing your body to get enough rest is the only way to help lessen the occurrence of headaches. Headache medications will be of little help until you allow your body to heal. However, if the headaches become severe or continuous, it is recommended that you see a doctor.

* Dizzy Spells - Often, a concussion can disrupt the organs in your ears responsible for your sense of balance. As a result, the room will seem to spin whenever you move suddenly. You may also experience a floating sensation or a sense of unreality during the first few weeks after suffering a concussion. Like the associated headaches, these dizzy feelings are normal. They will diminish and go away over time.

* Vision Problems - Another problem associated with a concussion is vision disturbances. For instance, you may have blurry vision or your eyes might develop sensitivity to bright light for a few weeks following a concussion. While wearing sunglasses will help with the photosensitivity, you should contact your doctor for an appointment if your vision does not improve.

* Fatigue
Because your body is working hard to heal itself, you will often tire easily during your recovery period. After suffering a concussion, it is a good idea to pay attention to your body so that you can sense what it is telling you. If you feel exhausted even after you think you have done hardly anything at all it is important that you give your body a rest. If you continue to push yourself, you will only tire yourself out and make your recovery period even longer.

* Lack of Concentration - A concussion will also affect your short term memory. While you might be able to recall events that happened a year ago, you won't have any idea at all why you opened the refrigerator just a few seconds ago. Don’t worry that you are losing your mind. This memory loss only means that your brain is temporarily downsizing itself to heal. The important thing is that you listen to your body and get enough rest.

* Clumsiness - Your spatial awareness will also suffer shortly after a concussion. This will result in you running into people, dropping things or tripping over things easily. Remember, like other concussion symptoms this clumsiness is temporary. However, to be on the safe side, it is best not to drive until your awareness and reactions return to normal.

* Irritability - After a concussion, you may also find yourself with an unusually short temper. You may snap at others for little or no reason. The reason you become very irritable after a concussion is because as your brain recovers from its injury it conserves its energy in an effort to heal itself. Some of the things the brain allows to slide in its attempt to heal include discretion like self-control or politeness. If you find that you are more irritable tan normal following a concussion, remember this is your body telling you need more time to rest and recover.

Concussion Recovery Period

Most people who suffer a concussion will experience one or more of the above mentioned after-effects. Generally, it takes about two weeks for all of the symptoms of a concussion to resolve themselves. However, one person in ten may experience problems from their head injury for an even longer period of time. If you have suffered from a concussion, and are still having headaches and other after-effects more than three weeks later, you should contact your doctor.

Conclusions

There are a variety of symptoms associated with a concussion. These symptoms include headaches, visual disturbances, irritability and clumsiness. If any of these symptoms, including the headaches, lasts for more than two weeks after the time you sustained your concussion, you should see your doctor.