Delayed Concussion Symptoms

The reason experts say to go to the hospital immediately following any sort of head trauma is due to the potential of a concussion. What many do not realize is that a concussion is actually a form of brain injury. Even though they are generally thought of as mild, concussions can have severe consequences.

Unfortunately, many concussions do not immediately show symptoms. This means you could suffer head trauma and have a concussion without even realizing it. To help cultivate more awareness and promote better health practices, here is a list of delayed concussion symptoms and what causes a concussion.

What Causes a Concussion?

Concussions occur in the same manner as any other traumatic brain injury. If you’ve experienced a heavy blow to the head or body, you could have a concussion. The impact has to be severe enough to cause the brain to move and shake within the skull. This temporary deformation damages the brain tissue.

Here are some activities that could result in a concussion:

• Assault
• Car accidents
• Contact sports
• Fall from a high distance
• Fall on a hard surface
• Being in close proximity to an explosion

If you have incurred head trauma from any of the above, it might be time to see a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

Concussion symptoms fall into four categories:

• Cognitive
• Emotional
• Physical
• Sleep-related

Each of these categories can have an array of different symptoms. However, sometimes these categories can overlap.

Symptoms of a concussion include any of the following:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Difficult forming a coherent thought
• Slow-motion subjectivity
• Balance issues
• High anxiety 
• Nervousness
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory issues, including problems retaining information
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Energy deficiency
• Irritability
• Depression
• Increased emotionality
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Disrupted sleep schedule

It is important to remember that those suffering from a concussion could exhibit a few of the above symptoms or just one. Sometimes symptoms only manifest for a short period of time and then change as the brain adapts.

If you suspect you are suffering from a concussion, seek medical attention immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of a Delayed Concussion?

While the majority of concussions are immediately noticeable, some are not. So even if you are not showing symptoms at the time of injury, it does not necessarily mean you are not suffering from a concussion.

If you have a delayed concussion, the symptoms could make their appearance days or weeks after the initial injury. That’s because the initial symptoms might be present but only in a mild form, which is more difficult to notice.

Common symptoms of delayed concussions include any of the following:

• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Memory issues

Again, these symptoms can change over time as the brain adapts to the trauma.

Are There Long-Term Complications from a Concussion?

Unfortunately, there are long-term health complications from a concussion. Doctors are honing in on a link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

What Is CTE?

CTE is a brain disease that can develop years after a person suffers repeated brain injuries. You may have heard about CTE in relation to prominent football players. These athletes likely contracted the condition after years of concussions and other head injuries.

Doctors suspect the primary cause of emotional and cognitive impairment as it relates to concussions is due to the buildup of a protein known as tau. The theory is that excessive amounts of tau in the brain can drive cognitive impairment. However, more research is necessary before a conclusion can be definitively determined.

Are You Suffering from a Delayed Concussion?

If you are suffering from a delayed concussion, the best thing to do is to consult a medical professional as soon as possible. After that, if the situation merits, you may want to get in contact with an attorney who specializes in personal injury.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Portland, OR

If you were injured in an accident in Portland, Oregon, please contact our Portland personal injury lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve all throughout Multnomah County in Oregon. Visit our office at:

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 773-3333
Hours: Open 24/7