What are Some Representative Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion?

The term “concussion” may suggest that only a minor trauma has occurred. After all, individuals who play various kinds of contact sports, or who are involved in motor vehicle accidents or who sustain what seem, at the time, relatively minor work-related injuries are often said to have sustained concussions.

Concussions may seem like minor trauma such that the individual can just “shake it off”. But many times it can’t just be shaken off.  A concussion should never be ignored nor its significance minimized.

Why? Because a concussion is, in reality, a traumatic brain injury.  While often classified as a mild traumatic brain injury, it is a traumatic brain injury nonetheless that can have both immediate and lasting effects. Virtually any bump, blow or jar to the head can cause a concussion[1]. The lasting effects are of particular concern when repetitive concussions occur.

How does an individual know if he or she has sustained a concussion? Although there may be a subjective sense of “just not feeling right,” there are some objective signs (observable by others) of one:

• An inability to recall events before the occurrence that caused the trauma
• A physical appearance of being dazed or stunned
• Clumsiness
• Slow or slurred speech
• Even a brief loss of consciousness
• Mood, behavior or personality changes.

Other symptoms frequently reported by individuals who have sustained this type of traumatic brain injury include:

• A headache or what may be characterized as pressure in his or her head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Vision problems such as diplopia
• Feeling groggy
• Difficulty concentrating.

While a concussion is generally considered to be on the “mild” end of the traumatic brain injury spectrum, it demands immediate acute care and later, post-acute brain injury rehabilitation. This is because, although an individual may start to feel better within a fairly short time after sustaining a concussion, the head trauma does not just go away as though it never occurred. In a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, 50 individuals who sustained a concussion were compared to a similar group who had not. While physical symptoms from the concussion were reduced by about 27% within four months after the head trauma, brain scans of those with concussions showed changes in the frontal cortex of both sides of the brain[2]. Therefore, although having sustained a concussion, or a “mild” traumatic brain injury, the individual’s brain has, in reality, been substantially altered and requires post-acute rehabilitation. NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida is the premier facility at which to receive those clinically relevant services.

Upon becoming a Client of NeuLife Rehab an independent functional evaluation is conducted. Based upon its results, an individualized Client Goal Plan is created designed to meet the Client’s needs. The innovative post-acute rehabilitation provided by NeuLife Rehab, is based upon the Client Goal Plan is provided by a multi-disciplinary team that may include:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor

NeuLife Rehab consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html

[2] http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20131120/concussions-damage-to-brain-lingers-after-symptoms-fade-study