Complications that can Arise from a Concussion
It is very important to keep a very good eye on someone that has had a concussion. If not, there are serious complications that can develop. The fact that someone with a concussion is often in a fog and disoriented is important to remember. They should never get behind the wheel of any vehicle. They also can have a loss of coordination so don't allow them to go along stairs on their own.
While memory loss is usually temporary for someone with a concussion, it can be more severe than that. Many people never remember the cause of what occurred and they got the concussion. They may have a hard time remembering several simple things that they once knew too. If there is a serious brain injury, they may have to relearn how to talk, to walk, and even how to do simple tasks like brushing their teeth.
Bleeding of the brain is something that you have to watch out for when someone has a concussion. Should the bleeding not be controlled, it can cause the person to go into a coma or to die. Excessive swelling that is due to the concussion can also occur. Sometimes, surgery will need to be done to remove the swelling and to reduce the bleeding. If adequate medical care isn't given serious complications will arise.
One of the long term effects that some individuals experience after a concussion is epilepsy. This is the result of the brain not being able to send accurate messages to the central nervous system. The more concussions a person has, the more likely it is that they will experience epileptic seizures. It can take up to 5 years after the concussion occurred for such seizures to occur. Their frequency and their severity can vary based on the individual.
When someone has suffered a concussion, they are very vulnerable to it happening again. This can result in serious brain swelling and brain injury the next time. Each subsequent concussion is going to increase the chances of permanent memory loss and the inability to take part in regular routine tasks.
