What Tools Are Available to Help Your Physician Fully Diagnose a Concussion or TBI?
Any type of traumatic brain injury can have serious consequences, even what may seem like a mild bump or blow to the head. The minutes and hours immediately following any type of head trauma are critical—you should immediately seek experienced medical treatment from knowledgeable medical professionals. Your doctor will have a number of tools available to quickly determine the extent of your injuries, which will in turn dictate the type and level of care you require.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
One of the foremost tools for assessing the severity of any type of head trauma is the Glasgow Coma Scale, developed by neurosurgery professors a half a century ago. Typically administered within the first 24 hours after any type of head trauma, it focuses on the patient’s motor responses, verbal acuity and eye opening and control. Based on a composite score, a TBI will be diagnosed from mild to severe.
Assessment of Loss of Consciousness
Though you can suffer a concussion or TBI without any loss of consciousness, the length of any actual unconsciousness can coincide with the severity of a traumatic brain injury. If you were out less than 30 minutes, your TBI will be deemed mild (also known as a “concussion”). Loss of consciousness for a longer period, up to 24 hours, will be considered a moderate TBI. Loss of consciousness for more than a day will be treated as a severe traumatic brain injury.
The Concurrence of Amnesia with a Traumatic Brain Injury
It’s fairly normal to have some loss of memory as the result of a traumatic brain injury. If your post-TBI amnesia lasts less than a day, it’s likely that you’ve suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. Amnesia that lasts up to a week may indicate a moderate TBI. Loss of memory that persists for more than a week is symptomatic of a severe traumatic brain injury.
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, with offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, we have extensive experience helping men and women who have suffered any type of concussion or traumatic brain injury. We have the tools and resources to accurately assess your condition and either prescribe a regiment of treatment or refer you to a specialist, if necessary. Contact us online or call our offices at (819)229-1941 to schedule an appointment.
