{"id":2775,"date":"2019-01-07T05:18:26","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T05:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2775"},"modified":"2021-08-03T01:12:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T01:12:34","slug":"12-uncommon-concussion-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/12-uncommon-concussion-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Uncommon Concussion Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden jolt, blow, or bump to the head. The brain is the most complex organ in our body; it processes millions of biological signals every second. Breathing, thinking, metabolism, and movement all require instruction from the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A concussion interrupts healthy cognitive function. Depending on the severity of the injury its effects on the neurological system can last for days, weeks, months, or even years. Some of the common symptoms associated with concussion are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Loss of memory around the events that caused the injury.
\u2022 Feeling stunned or dazed.
\u2022 Confusion, clumsy movement, and a loss of balance.
\u2022 Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
\u2022 Sensitivity to light, headache, and blurred vision.
\u2022 Blackout and a complete loss of consciousness.
These symptoms are easy to identify in most people that experience a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, there are cases where concussions manifest with peculiar effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Post Traumatic Vertigo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The vestibular system consists of three pairs of canals situated behind the ears. These canals distinguish acceleration of the head relative to gravity and body movement, repositioning the neck, limbs, and eyes to maintain an upright and stable position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severe head trauma <\/a>such as concussion, can damage or disrupt the vestibular system, creating feelings of dizziness. In most cases, the dizzy spell will pass within a few minutes or hours as the brain recovers. Intense dizzy spells that disable all movement are known as vertigo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a less common symptom of a concussion. High impact force related to a traumatic event can dislodge debris found in the inner-ear canal. This debris floats around the inner-ear, producing symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. In concussions, it\u2019s more likely that both ears may be affected to some extent by this condition, thereby intensifying the feeling of vertigo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Vivid Dreaming and Insomnia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a myth that victims of concussion should not be allowed to fall asleep for at least six to twelve hours after receiving the injury. This myth is busted. The most crucial restorative treatment for a concussion is sleep. The brain requires rest after sustaining a substantial impact and sleep will help to regenerate and heal neurological damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anatomy of sleep is a complicated relationship between your hypothalamus<\/a>, brain stem, thalamus, and the pineal gland. Together these organs control the stages of sleep and guide the brain from rest into deep REM sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A traumatic impact to the brain can disrupt this delicate neurological system, resulting in disturbances to the regular sleeping and waking cycle. A concussion can lead to bouts of insomnia, as the brain is unable to fall into a deep sleep due to damage of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. On the other side of the scale, a concussion could lead to vivid dreams due to impaired function of the thalamus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Anxiety and PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Persons suffering from a grade two or three concussion experience a significant volume decrease in brain activity during the first year after the injury. The volume changes correlate with cognitive disruptions in attention span, memory, and feelings of anxiety<\/a>. The two central regions of the brain affected by this loss of cognitive volume are the precuneal and the anterior cingulate region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anterior cingulate is responsible for mood disorders including anxiety and depression while the precuneal area has many different links to regions of the brain charged with the cognitive functions of higher order thinking and executive function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PTSD has links to specific concussion symptoms that persist for longer than three months after a severe head injury. More than 7.7 million Americans above 18 years of age have symptoms of PTSD. Women are at higher risk than men for post-traumatic stress disorder with children exposed to developing the condition as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. An Aching Jaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ligaments, soft tissue, and muscles <\/a>that run across the skull and connect to the jaw and neck share an intricate relationship. A traumatic head injury can create a butterfly effect of pain to another area of the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sudden jerk or jolt to the body can \u201cwhip\u201d the head from the centerline of the neck resulting in a common injury associated with concussion known as \u201cwhiplash.\u201d During impact, displacement of the lower jaw from the skull occurs in the opposite direction of the whiplash movement. This dislocation of the lower jaw often causes toothache, headache, jaw pain, and earache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, the symptoms of whiplash and related injuries to the connective tissues and ligaments around the skull intensify. If aggravated, stress will spread to the other surrounding muscle groups and ligaments. These secondary symptoms of whiplash must be addressed immediately to avoid raising levels of intracranial hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Tinnitus & Hearing Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The trauma involved with a concussion can damage the central auditory pathways to the brain. The ears are sensitive organs, and it doesn\u2019t take much force to injure them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rupture of the eardrum, dislocation <\/a>of the tiny ossicle bones found in the middle ear, or ischemia of the cochlear nerve are common auditory disruptions. These injuries can make it challenging for the vestibular and auditory systems to process sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common disruptions to hearing after a concussion include the difficulty in locating the source of the sound, especially in the presence of background noise. Tinnitus is another hearing disorder, best described as a ringing in the ears, that can occur as a result of a concussion damaging the vestibular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complete loss of hearing can occur in severe cases of concussion. Unfortunately, this condition is often irreversible. Others may experience a permanent reduction in their quality of hearing or tinnitus that lasts for months on end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Transient Blindness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Receiving a concussion can increase levels of pressure on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, creating intracranial hypertension (IH). CSF acts as a cushion for the brain against impact, as well as providing nourishment and removing metabolic waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intracranial hypertension can become a chronic adverse health condition in people suffering from a concussion. The elevated cranial pressure places stress <\/a>on the optic nerve creating a condition known as papilledema. In most cases, papilledema will subside as the IH wanes, and the swelling around the optic nerve diminishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are rare cases where severe intracranial hypertension will require surgery to the optic nerve to avoid permanent blindness. Relieving IH requires surgeons to drain cerebrospinal fluid from inner brain cavities or ventricles in a process known as \u201ctherapeutic shunting.\u201d Optic nerve sheath fenestration is then used to make incisions in the sheath surrounding the optic nerve to relieve the intracranial pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Inability to Speak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A concussion can affect the areas of the brain responsible for speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dysarthria <\/a>is a condition when there is neurological damage to the part of the nervous system controlling the muscles used to speak. It can also occur from weakness or injury directly affecting the muscles. Dysarthria reduces the clarity and control of speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When dysarthria presents symptoms alone, it will impair the ability of the individual to speak while leaving their ability to understand language intact. However, in cases of severe concussion dysarthria is often accompanied by aphasia, a condition where the individual is unable to comprehend speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speech dyspraxia is a disorder where people are unable to articulate their thoughts. Some people living with dyspraxia of speech will be able to speak perfectly when not concentrating on the spoken word. However, the same individuals may struggle to put together words if they have to think about what they want to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Emotional Outbursts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A concussion may affect your mood, a condition also known as \u201cemotional liability.\u201d People suffering from a concussive event may exhibit manic behavior; frequently switching between elated and depressive states. This aberrant behavior is triggered by events that place stress on the neurological centers of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, a person with a concussion may experience periods of intense anxiety during the early stages of their recovery. These feelings come from the inability to process and execute basic cognitive commands, as well as changes to their personality that may occur from traumatic brain injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anger and frustration <\/a>afflict people that are suffering from the effects of a concussion. These feelings emerge as the individual struggles to deal with the slow pace of recovery and their inability to process the particular details of the concussion event. Impaired impulse control will hinder the ability to control feelings of aggression, anger, and irritability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Disconnection from Self<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A concussion can trigger unusual physical and emotional biological responses. One of the less common symptoms <\/a>experienced by concussed individuals is a \u201closs of self.\u201d Victims of concussion describe this feeling like a dream state where they are standing \u201coutside of themselves,\u201d watching their body as an observer. The condition compares to Astro-traveling where the spirit leaves the body transcending space and time before returning to the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spatial distortion can accompany this strange condition and individuals may have trouble sensing depth and geometry of objects. Doctors are unable to diagnose the cause of this condition, and if left untreated the individual may begin to withdraw from life both emotionally and physically, abandoning family gatherings and social groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effects of this personal disconnection can lead to severe depression and other nervous system disorders. Treating the condition require regular communication and consultation between the concussed person and a medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Suicidal Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Deep depression <\/a>is a psychiatric issue that can take hold of the mind when the individual realizes the extent of their injury. Losing a sports scholarship or being unable to study for exams will have an adverse impact on the individual\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concussion negatively affects cognitive ability and memory. Losing the ability to tie your shoelaces can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you know that you can do it. There may be feelings of guilt, sadness, confusion, and anger during the recovery phase and if these negative emotions are no put in check, they can destroy mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best solution to depression and anger is a discussion. Talking about the effects of the injury will mitigate mental stress during recovery. Individuals that are struggling to cope with their recovery from a severe concussion should consult with a mental health professional to overcome their self-doubt and restore their self-image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Sudden Development of New Skills and Abilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Science is at a loss to explain this unusual symptom of a concussion. Jason Padgett, a professor at the University of St. Louis, claims to have developed exceptional skills after being mugged by gang members. The trauma<\/a> from the event unlocked mathematical genius, and he began to see objects from a fractal perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Padgett had always struggled with mathematics. However, after the mugging, the professor experienced a change in his perception. Objects left behind a trail of patterns as they moved through his vision, and sunlight refractions would leave behind a trail of triangles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Padgett was so disturbed by this development that he stayed inside his home for nearly three years. During this time, he found a talent for painting and is the only artist in the world with the ability to paint fractal images.
Medical professionals suggest that the blows Padgett suffered affected the part of the brain that controls the boundary formation in objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Complete Personality Shift<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Receiving a concussion can quite literally change your life. Some individuals that experience severe head trauma may damage the frontal lobes of the brain. The frontal lobes are \u201cThe seat of consciousness.\u201d This area of the brain <\/a>processes our conscious thought and defines our personality. Experiencing a traumatic brain injury can disrupt the normal function of the frontal lobes and lead to a change in the mental processes and character of the concussed individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people change for the better and develop fascinating and productive new skills as previously mentioned in the case of Jason Padgett. However, some are not as lucky and may experience a detrimental reduction in their personality. Some individuals can lose their sense of humor or their ability to contribute to conversations. Others may completely change their view on life, for the better, or the worse. The effects of a concussion can leave people feeling like a shell of their former self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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