I was walking across the gym prior to volleyball practice and a errant volleyball hit me in the head while I was not looking. This minor accident did not seem major at the time after my friends rushed over to help me up off the floor. I was dazed but was able to pull myself together and shake off this seemingly minor incident. However, as the days went on my parents, teachers, friends and myself knew that something was not quite right. I suffered from a concussion or mild brain injury yet it was affecting my entire life. Within the six months after the accident, I could not keep up with my school work, I was extremely sensitive to light and sound, my emotions always seemed ready to explode for no apparent reason. It was difficult to comprehend that all this could occur from an errant volleyball that hit me in the head.
This is the story from a 16 year old female named Kate that suffered from what seemed to be an minor accident yet changed her life and her ability to function. A volleyball and a concussion are not uncommon.
Concussions / Brain injuries can be scary and are a serious matter. A concussion is a type of brain injury and can be mild with little impact or shaking of the head to severe but the good news is that the brain can heal and become better. Even so, there are some signs and symptoms you should watch out for if someone has suffered a brain injury or concussion. Here are the top 10 common brain injury symptoms:
1) Dizziness/vertigo – Feeling like the room is spinning? You’re probably experiencing dizziness or vertigo -- two of the most commonly reported brain injury symptoms.
2) Headaches – The most obvious symptom of a brain injury: headaches. They may range from mild to severe, but they can be persistent enough to interfere with daily activities.
3) Memory Loss/Confusion – Brain injuries often cause confusion and memory loss. This can be a bit scary, especially if the brain injury victim is unaware of what happened to them and/or where they are.
4) Speech Difficulty – Brain injuries can cause difficulty in forming words, speaking clearly or understanding what’s being said.
5) Loss of Motor Coordination – It may be difficult for brain injury victims to control their movement or coordination. They might experience problems with balance, walking, standing, controlling facial expressions and even swallowing food.
6) Blurred Vision – Sufferers of brain injuries often report blurred vision or double vision as one of their symptoms.
7) Sensitivity to Light/Noise– People who have suffered brain injuries may become more sensitive to loud noises and bright lights.
8) Sleep Disruption – Brain injury victims may have difficulty falling asleep or sleep excessively during the day.
9) Changes in Mood/Behavior – Brain injuries can lead to personality changes, such as depression, anxiety, aggression and mood swings. These brain injury symptoms should not be ignored!
10) Nausea/Vomiting – Nausea and vomiting are also common brain injury symptoms that can cause dehydration and other health issues if left untreated.
If you’re experiencing any of these brain injury symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Remember: concussions / brain injuries are serious business! So don’t take them lightly – be sure to take the necessary steps to protect your brain health.
Fortunately, Kate was able to seek help from the Harmonized Brain Centers and has been able to recovery fully from her concussion symptoms and has graduated from High School at the top of her class and is heading to college.
Here at the Harmonized Brain Centers we help clients with brain injuries from mild to severe with our Drug Free, Non Invasive, Safe, Effective and Affordable Care. We not only help regulate the electrical activity in the brain but also the biochemical processes so that you can achieve your BEST BRAIN EVER! If you have any questions, please give us a call as we would love to explain how we can help you overcome the symptoms from a concussion / brain injury from our offices in Colorado Springs, CO, Centennial, CO. Westcliffe, CO, Monte Vista, CO and Nashville, TN.