Common Types of Injuries - Concussions

I see brain injuries over and over in my bicycle cases. The severity of theses injuries varies widely from a headache to permanent functional brain damage. My experience is that there is no silver bullet when it comes to brain injuries. People who use helmets suffer brain injuries as well. If the hit is hard enough you can still have a brain injury despite proper helmet use.

Your brain has the consistency of gelatin. It is suspended in fluid and cushioned from everyday jolts and bumps by the cerebrospinal fluid in which it floats. In an accident you may experience a blow to the head causing your brain to bounce forcefully against your skull. This can result in bleeding in or around your brain and damage to nerve fibers. Common symptoms of a brain injury are loss of consciousness, memory loss, headaches, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech.

Concussions are fairly common brain injuries. People who have had a concussion in the past are at higher risk of having concussions in the future. The concern after a concussion is that the blow to the head may have caused potentially serious bleeding or swelling inside the skull. Symptoms of such injuries may not appear until hours or days after the injury.

If you experience symptoms of a concussion it is best to see a doctor. Neurologists typically specialize in such injuries. A doctor may prescribe a CT or conduct a neurological exam. Such an exam usually includes checking your memory and concentration, vision, hearing, balance, coordination and reflexes. People who suffer concussions often suffer from postconcussion syndrome in which concussion symptoms to last for weeks or months following the accident. I often hear client who have suffered a head injury complain of "fogginess" or an inability to concentrate. Such injuries should be taken seriously and examined by a specialist.