What’s the Difference Between Severe, Moderate, and Mild Concussion?
Concussions and brain injuries are often referred to as the invisible injuries. But just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful. Even a mild concussion could lead to serious consequences.
A blow to the head can jolt your brain, hitting it against the sides of your skull. This interrupts your brain’s function and can damage it on the inside, causing a concussion.
When your brain suffers, everything else does, too.
Concussions can severely impact your cognitive function. If they aren’t treated properly, they can lead to brain damage or traumatic brain injury. Knowing what to look for and understanding how severe your concussion is can be a crucial step in preventing these future issues.
Get to know the difference between severe, moderate, and mild concussion before it’s too late.
The Importance of Knowing the Difference
All concussions warrant immediate medical attention. However, the more severe your concussion is, the more urgent care you need.
Concussions don’t account for age. They can affect anyone, from babies and children to elderly adults. Since everyone is basically at risk, the more you know about them, the better.
This is especially true if you or your children play contact sports or other physical activities. Contact sports are a leading cause of concussion in Canadian youth, along with car accidents and personal injuries.
If you know what to look for, you’ll be able to get the right treatment as soon as possible to prevent brain damage and disability.
Additionally, if you can identify a severe concussion early enough, you can ensure that the right steps are taken for a full recovery.
Types of Concussions
We’re going to break down the different types of concussions for you to help you better understand what you or your loved one is going through.
Naturally, the more severe your concussion is, the more severe the effects are going to be, and the longer they’ll last. If your conditions seem to be getting worse, make sure you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Visit our symptoms of a concussion guide for a more detailed breakdown of the specific conditions to look for.
Mild Concussion (Grade 1)
Generally, a mild concussion is characterized by no loss of consciousness and a headache. The patient will likely also suffer some minor memory loss or confusion.
Mild concussion symptoms usually go away within 15 to 30 minutes from the time of the incident, but can last over the next few days.
The best solution is to take it easy for the time being. Avoid doing anything strenuous until all of the concussion symptoms are gone. This includes anything that requires a lot of concentration as well, such as a puzzle.
Moderate Concussion (Grade 2)
With a moderate concussion, symptoms usually last about 30 minutes to a day. However, like a mild concussion, they can potentially last up to a few days with lingering effects, such as an extended headache.
In addition, a patient can sometimes lose consciousness for up to 5 minutes with this type of concussion.
Usually, moderate concussions can be treated with pain medication after the first half hour. However, the patient should be monitored for at least 24 hours to make sure the symptoms don’t get worse. If they do, consult a doctor.
Severe Concussion (Grade 3)
A grade 3, or severe concussion, is the most serious type of concussion. Often, the patient will lose consciousness for 5 minutes or more.
The effects of a severe concussion could last for multiple weeks. Immediate medical attention is required, and patients should be carefully monitored.
When you suffer a severe concussion, you could be at risk for traumatic brain injury or brain damage. Additionally, it could also lead to a brief coma.
How Long Can a Concussion Last?
Concussion recovery time generally depends on the severity of your injury. Minor concussions can last as little as a few days, while severe concussions can last for weeks or months.
It’s also important to note that some concussion symptoms don’t start right away. You might not even know you have one until you start to experience the signs. This could be as long as a few weeks after the incident.
Your doctor will be able to run neurological tests and CT scans to check the internal function of your brain. In addition, they will also perform physical tests, like eye examinations, to determine if there are any significant changes.
Your doctor will decide your recovery process and treatment once the tests are done. This is based on your specific condition. For example, they could give you a prescription for pain medication, or you could be sent to rehabilitative therapy.
Rest is one of the most important things you can do for any type of concussion. If you don’t give your brain time to heal, it will take you longer to return to your regular functions.
If It’s Just a Mild Concussion, Won’t it Just go Away?
It’s true that most mild concussions will go away on their own.
However, you should still get a medical evaluation, even if the concussion is minor. The brain is so sensitive and fragile; every precaution is necessary.
Your doctor can at least provide you with some treatments to deal with the side effects and symptoms you’re suffering, such as nausea or headache.
While concussions aren’t the most severe form of traumatic brain injury, they can lead to many issues, such post-concussion syndrome or depression and anxiety.
Additionally, someone who has suffered a concussion is twice as likely to suffer another one in the future. The next concussion is also more likely to be more severe, with longer lasting consequences.
Conte Jaswal Will Help You Seek Compensation For Your Concussion
If you’re suffering from a concussion after an accident someone else caused, you deserve compensation. It’s not fair that you’re suffering because someone else was negligent.
That’s why we’re here to help.
Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will aggressively fight for you as your advocate. You won’t have to stand up to the big insurance companies on your own. We’re here to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve to move on with your life and the recovery process.
Contact Conte Jaswal now to book a free consultation and start the brain injury settlement process.
