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According to the Brain Injury Inquiry Institute , 1.v meg Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries, with a brain injury occurring every 15 seconds. Concussions make upward a large percentage of these cases, making information technology the most common form of encephalon injury. With such a large number of people afflicted past concussions, it is important to know the long-term furnishings associated with this brain injury. Regardless of how a concussion occurs or how severe information technology is perceived to be, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to reduce the gamble of long-term effects.

How Do Concussions Happen?

Simply put, a concussion occurs due to a traumatic accident to the caput that causes both the caput and encephalon to be shaken back and along in a whiplash-similar fashion. This causes the brain to be bounced around inside the skull, dissentious the brain's inner construction. The encephalon's functions are affected due to concrete and chemic changes brought on by the damage. So what are some of the nearly common causes and risk factors of a concussion?

Sports-Related Injuries

A significant number of concussions occur due to sports-related injuries. According to the CDC , in that location are somewhere between 1.6 and 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occurring each year in the United States. While people of all ages participate in sports, adolescents are at a much college risk for concussions due to the fact that their brains are still developing. Contact sports such as football game, basketball, and soccer are known to exist the sports nearly unremarkably associated with concussions.

Falling

In 2014, falls were the leading crusade of traumatic brain injuries, with 48% of all traumatic brain injury emergency room visits occurring that year equally a result of a fall. Of concussions caused by a fall, young children and older adults are the most commonly affected.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

In regards to those between the ages of fifteen and 24, studies written report that motor vehicle collisions are the well-nigh common cause of concussions. While many people who find themselves involved in a motor vehicle collision may assume they are okay because they haven't lost consciousness, this isn't always the case. In fact, many people who suffer from concussions don't lose consciousness at all. This highlights the importance of seeking medical handling after a motorcar blow.

How Can a Concussion Bear on You Long-Term?

Many of the more recognizable symptoms associated with a concussion develop in a relatively short period of time. These include problem concentrating, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or dissonance.

Unfortunately, there are a number of long-term effects associated with a concussion. While fairly rare, there are ii factors in particular that make your chances of experiencing long-term effects from a concussion more likely. These include neglecting to treat a concussion or getting a series of concussions over time.

Mail-Concussion Syndrome

While the symptoms of a concussion should resolve within 1 to 6 weeks on boilerplate, some people suffer from symptoms for much longer. Post-concussion syndrome is defined as a complex disorder where a multifariousness of symptoms persist for weeks, or even months after a concussion occurs.

While you may exist quick to assume that mail-concussion syndrome is primarily associated with severe concussions, this isn't necessarily true. Medical professionals suggest that the severity of a concussion has no impact on whether or not mail service-concussion syndrome will exist experienced. Allow'south take a await at the symptoms experienced by those suffering from post-concussion syndrome:

  • Headaches
  • Disorientation
  • Fatigue
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Increased irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Indisposition
  • Loss of concentration and retention
  • Blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to noise and low-cal
  • Decreases in taste and odor (rare)

When it comes to mail-concussion syndrome, unfortunately researchers accept nonetheless to determine why some people with concussions develop persistent long-term symptoms while others exercise not. Some experts suggest that post-concussion symptoms develop due to more psychological factors. This is considering many of the mutual symptoms mirror those associated with anxiety, low, and PTSD.

Long-Term Effects Lasting Decades

In 2013, research presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science suggested that brain damage caused past a concussion tin last for decades later on the original injury.  This inquiry highlighted the fact that injuries with no visible abnormalities on MRI or CT scans can cause debilitating symptoms as the years get on.

Citing many instances of people suffering from the long-term effects of a concussion, including athletes and soldiers, the research went on to detail the symptoms. These included learning, memory, judgment, and emotional impairments. Each of these symptoms makes daily life more than difficult for sufferers, whether in a sense of interpersonal relationships or work performance.

Avoiding the Long-Term Effects of a Concussion

Considering that ane of the biggest risk factors for developing long-term symptoms later a concussion is suffering from multiple concussions, information technology is important to allow your brain time to heal. According to Jeffrey English, Thou.D ., a neurologist at Piedmont Healthcare, fourscore% to 85% of those suffering from a concussion (with the exception of professional person athletes) recover within 2 to iii weeks with no known long-term health consequences. Dr. English language goes on to country that at that place is bear witness that sustaining a brain injury when y'all haven't fully recovered from a concussion can take long-term consequences.

It is for this reason that healthcare professionals require patients to abstain from normal concrete activity until they meet certain requirements. Dr. English urges those who accept suffered from a concussion to outset complete a five-footstep progressive physical exertion plan with their physician earlier returning to regular activity. He besides recommends that coaches, players, and parents keep an eye out for symptoms of concussion every bit a preventative measure confronting long-term furnishings in young athletes.

Finally, if you or someone you know is suspected of a concussion, don't wait to seek medical attending. Regardless of whether or not you showroom some of the nigh common signs of a concussion , information technology is of import to get checked out later on taking a hit to the head. Concussive symptoms can sometimes exist elusive depending on the private, so it is important to see with a physician.