What is a Concussion | Signs & Symptoms of Concussions | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury | Head Injuries

Florida personal injury attorney Joe Lamb discusses what a concussion is and the signs and symptoms people suffer after a concussion.

A concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury. It is caused when brain cells become damaged or disrupted. The location of the damaged cells within the lobes of the brain will determine how someone is affected. Concussions often occur in cycling crashes, car accidents, and sports. Concussions can also be caused by a sudden jolt of the head as well as the classic whiplash action involved in many vehicle accidents. When someone’s head is propelled forward and then suddenly propelled backward, the momentum of the head causes their brain to forcefully strike the inside of the skull. The effect is about the same as the head striking the ground. It’s the crushing of the brain against the inside of the skull which causes the damage. While the loss of consciousness is common in a concussion, it doesn't always occur. Some people simply have a feeling of being dazed.

The signs and symptoms of a concussion are about as myriad as one can imagine. They range from emotional symptoms, which can be anything from increased agitation, lack of patience, or a change in mood. A rapidly changing mood can be one of the main signs. This means that someone who may generally be more even-keeled may more quickly jump the gun, but it can also be the opposite such as someone is sadder, or more reserved. Someone who might be loud and active may become a little bit less so. When it comes to the non-cognitive symptoms, these are the more external symptoms that friends and loved ones may recognize. This could be where someone is having difficulty walking, difficulty concentrating, or word-finding difficulties. These are the symptoms that you can see externally that someone nearby might say, "Hey, you know, you're not walking the same as you used to." The other type of symptom is physical symptoms. A lot of times people report nausea, headaches or they are more tired than usual.