How Is a Concussion Diagnosed By a Medical Professional?

Any blow to the head or neck region can cause a concussion. This can be the result of a bicycle accident, motorcycle accident or sports injury among other causes.

Immediately following a concussion, you may realize that something is wrong. Of course, this isn’t always the case. There are times when the symptoms of a concussion do not set in right away, but instead remain dormant for a period of several hours to a day.

If you have reason to believe that you or a loved one has suffered a concussion, it’s important to receive immediate medical treatment. Even if you find that this is not the case, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Leaving a concussion untreated can have a serious long term impact on your overall level of health.

A concussion is diagnosed in many ways:

— Neurological exam. This includes checking your hearing, vision, sensation, strength, balance and coordination.

— Cognitive testing. Your medical team may conduct tests to evaluate your thinking skills, with a focus on your concentration and memory.

— Imaging tests. A CT scan is most common, as this will give your doctor a clear view of the brain and whether any damage has occurred.

Along with the above, overnight observation at the hospital is not out of the question.

Although a concussion is not the most serious brain injury, it can impact your life in many ways.

If you’ve suffered a concussion as the result of another person’s negligence, such as in a bicycle accident, don’t wait to learn more about your legal rights for receiving compensation.

Source: Mayo Clinic, “Tests and diagnosis,” accessed Jan. 12, 2017

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