Which doctor do I go to?

Depending on whether it is a mild or severe concussion, the patient can first go to a family doctor or pediatrician, or go directly to the emergency room or contact an emergency doctor. If a general practitioner is contacted first, he or she may write a referral to a radiologist and/or neurologist. Depending on the symptoms and concerns, a hospital referral may be necessary.

Complications

In the case of a simple concussion, serious complications are relatively rare. Nevertheless, affected patients can be relatively inconspicuous in the first hours after the accident and the actual findings are misinterpreted as a simple concussion. Depending on the severity of the forces acting on the skull, serious and potentially life-threatening clinical pictures can be generated. If a person is suspected of having a concussion, various warning signals must be heeded. If the person affected suffers from persistent disturbances of consciousness, severe stabbing headaches and varying pupil reactions, brain swelling or cerebral hemorrhage may be present.

What can be the consequential damages?

Consequential damage after a concussion is a sensitive topic among experts. Some authors and experience reports say that especially permanent headaches can occur. These are sometimes described as very extreme.

In some cases, the consequential damage seems to severely restrict the flow and quality of everyday life. In addition, damage and pain to the neck and head muscles can probably develop as a result of incorrect posture of the neck and head. In addition, dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, concentration and memory problems, sleep disorders, sensitivity to light and noise and mood swings are described as consequential damage.

Some authors suspect a connection between an unhealed concussion and late effects. For example, the development of dementia is discussed in this context. According to other authors, however, these secondary damages occur less frequently with adequate treatment than is generally believed.

The diagnosis of vasomotor headache after head trauma is controversially discussed. These are headaches caused by a regulatory disorder of the vessels in the head. Some authors also speak of a post-commotional syndrome when the symptoms of a concussion persist for weeks or months.

They assume that about 1% of patients are affected. Other authors negate a connection to concussion. Many authors agree, however, that under certain circumstances consequential damage can occur after a concussion. The risk of consequential damage can increase with preload, insufficient healing, small children and older age. Other authors completely deny permanent consequences after uncomplicated concussion.