Concussions should not be taken lightly.
These Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s) are the result of violent jolts or blows to the head that can result in serious consequences.
When a concussion takes place, the brain is physically shaken and moved out of its normal positioning. For that reason, it’s vital that you visit a concussion specialist after experiencing one.
It turns out that concussions come in three grades of severity. These grades are divided into Mild, Moderate and Severe concussions.
In this edition of the Broadview Ottawa concussion clinic blog, we will explore the three grades of concussions, with specific focus on grade 2 and grade 3 concussions.
Concussions: An Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The brain is made of soft, extremely sensitive tissue.
Traumatic Brain Injuries can result in damage to the blood vessels, injury to the nerves and bruising of the brain tissue.
After a concussion, your brain may not work as it should. As a result, your vision, equilibrium, and consciousness may be compromised.
Concussions are difficult to diagnose, as their symptoms may not appear until weeks later after the incident.
Learning how to recognize the signs of a TBI is crucial to treat it and put you on your way to recovery.
The 3 Grades of Concussions
Although most people recover completely from a concussion, medical treatment is key.
Since many people are not aware of the symptoms of TBI’s, they do not seek medical support. Monitoring your concussion symptoms, however, is as important as getting yourself checked as soon as you are involved in an incident that caused a sudden shake or impact to the head.
Let’s talk about the 3 different grades of concussions and their symptoms.
Grade 1 or Mild Concussions
This type of TBI is considered mild and does not cause you to lose consciousness.
Minor sports mishaps and car accidents are usually the cause of this concussion. You may experience headaches, difficulty focusing, memory loss, dizziness and nausea.
People who suffer from mild TBI’s can generally return to normal activities within days.
Grade 2 or Moderate Concussions
Moderate TBI’s rarely involve loss of consciousness, however it could occur for a brief period of time, no longer than 5 minutes.
Additional symptoms may include ringing in the ears, amnesia and irritability. This type of TBI requires several days of rest before returning to normal life.
Again, any level of concussion should be treated by a doctor.
Grade 3 or Severe Concussions
Severe traumatic brain injuries imply loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes.
Patients suffering from this type of concussion may experience vomiting, amnesia and difficulty speaking. In some cases, patients may “see stars.”
The symptoms can last for weeks before they improve and subside.
You must remember that if you experience a severe concussion, you may be at risk of permanent brain damage.
Treatment for Concussion in Ottawa
Regardless of the severity of the concussion you are experiencing, you should get yourself examined by a skilled doctor.
Patients who suffer level 2 and level 3 TBI’s require special and continuous care.
At our brain injury rehabilitation clinic in Ottawa, we provide post-traumatic care to patients who have experienced any jolt or blow to the head. We combine our passion, expertise and experience to help our patients return to their normal life activities.
Contact us today for more information on our holistic approach, and to book an appointment with one of our Ottawa concussion specialists.