Can the Obvious Signs of a Concussion Take Time to Develop?
You banged your head or neck playing sports, or you were in a car accident and your head snapped back and forth. Maybe you had some sore muscles, but you didn’t have the telltale signs of a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). You didn’t experience persistent headaches or nausea, and, after a day or two, you felt fine.
A few months later, though, you find yourself struggling to get through every day. Maybe your sleep patterns have changed…. You have insomnia or difficulty getting out of bed. You’ve noticed that loud noises or bright lights seem to bother you a lot. Could it be related to that bump on the head? Can you have a concussion or TBI that much later, even though there were no indications in the immediate aftermath of your injury?
How Long Before Symptoms of a Concussion Appear?
Though the telltale symptoms of a concussion, or mild TBI, usually show up within minutes or hours after a bump or blow to the head, some can lie dormant for weeks or months. Many of the effects of trauma to your brain don’t produce recognizable symptoms immediately, but they can get gradually worse if you don’t take necessary precautions. Often, when you’re unaware of a concussion, you’ll be tempted to engage in activities that can seriously complicate matters, such as:
- Strenuous physical activity, such as sports, yard work, or other projects around the home
- Too much time watching screens, including your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or television
- Trying to solve or complete difficult mental tasks
Without proper medical attention, you can never be certain, after a bump or blow to the head, that you don’t have a concussion. That’s why you should always get treatment after any head injury, regardless of how minor it may seem.
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, with offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, we have extensive experience helping people who suffer any type of concussion or other TBI. We have the tools and resources to accurately assess your condition and either prescribe a regimen 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.
