Concussions
- Posted on: Nov 1 2016
As an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of injuries sustained by individuals involved in accidents (motor vehicle, work, slip and falls, and construction), Dr. Mollins and his group of referred medical specialists treat patients with head trauma and/or acceleration/deceleration injuries on a regular basis. Many of these patients are diagnosed with a concussion. Concussion (or concussion syndrome) can vary from mild to severe, may be disabling, and can have dire consequences if not treated immediately.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It can occur after an impact to the head (like a slip and fall) or after a whiplash- type injury (like an automobile accident) that causes the head and brain to shake quickly back and forth. Symptoms of a concussion vary depending on both the severity of the injury and the person injured. It’s not true that a loss of consciousness always occurs with a concussion. Some people do experience a loss of conscience, but others do not. 
The signs of a concussion may include:
- Brief loss of consciousness after the injury
- Memory Problems
- Confusion
- Drowsiness or feeling sluggish
- Dizziness/double vision or blurred vision
- Headache/nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Balance Problems
- Slowed reaction to stimuli
The most important thing to remember after an accident (especially if head trauma is involved) is to see your doctor immediately. Quite often injuries sustained as a result of an accident are not symptomatic immediately. However, the longer a person waits to treat an injury, the longer it will take to achieve wellness. If Dr. Mollins suspects that his injured patient has sustained a concussion, he will immediately refer that patient to a Board Certified neurologist.
After taking a clear concise history, the doctor (neurologist) will perform a thorough physical examination. Diagnostic testing may very well be needed to obtain a diagnosis so magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the brain may be necessary to check for serious injuries. Often the doctor will also request an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which monitors brain waves.
Once a concise diagnosis is attained, the injured patient can then be placed under a proper regimen of care. The good news is that most people completely recover from their concussions, but it may take months for the symptoms to disappear. Always remember if you have sustained any type of head trauma (from any accident) or whiplash of any kind, call Dr. Jeff Mollins immediately. It’s ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.
Posted in: Auto Accident Doctor, Blog, Injury Treatment
