The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that over a million people each year in the United States have a concussion, a type of brain injury that does not fracture the skull. A concussion is caused by blunt force to the head, such as from a moving object or fall. The impact to the head results in symptoms like amnesia and confusion. The Mayo Clinic adds that the symptoms of a concussion can last for a long period of time, ranging from days to weeks.
Amnesia
Amnesia is one of the common symptoms, which is a loss of memory, and it can be temporary or permanent. Some concussion patients can have retrograde amnesia, which is a problem remembering events before the onset of the concussion. The NIH notes that anterograde amnesia, which is memory loss of events after the injury, is more prevalent. The lost memories return over time, though some patients may experience the amnesia longer than others, and may not regain all of their memories.
Confusion
Confusion is the other common symptom of a concussion, and causes the patient to feel disoriented or have problems with his cognitive functions. For example, the patient may not know where he is, what date it is or what his name is after the concussion. During confusion, the patient may also have changes in learning and attention.
Change in Consciousness
A change in consciousness is a serious sign of a concussion, which requires medical attention. After a concussion, the patient may have an altered level of consciousness, which includes symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue and sluggishness; it can be difficult to awaken a person if she falls asleep after a concussion. The patient may also lose consciousness, which can be persistent and result in a coma.
Other Signs
A concussion can result in symptoms other than a change in the patient's mental state. Mobility can be affected by a concussion, resulting in muscle weakness and walking problems. Eye problems can also occur, such as unequal pupils and unusual eye movements. The patient may feel sick after a concussion, where he has a headache, vomiting, nausea and dizziness. Other signs of a concussion include convulsions, ringing in the ears and slurred speech.
