Conmociones cerebrales después de un accidente automovilístico: 7 Hechos que necesitas saber

1. A Concussion Is a Serious Brain Injury, Even if It Seems Mild

A concussion occurs when a sudden force causes the brain to collide with the skull. This rapid movement can bruise brain tissue and interrupt normal brain function. Concussions often result from hits to the head or sharp motions like whiplash, causing the brain to collide with the skull. En los EE.UU., there may be as many as 1.4 a 3.8 million concussions un año.

Even when labeled mild, a concussion is still a brain injury. It impacts brain function, often causing dizziness, confusion, or headaches. Without proper rest and care, concussions after a motor vehicle crash can worsen. An untreated concussion may develop into a more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cause lasting damage.

2. Certain Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Are More Likely to Cause Concussions

Concussions are a common injury in car crashes. One study found that 33,191 people suffered concussions in crashes, o sobre 1 en 61 occupants in tow-away crashes, incluidos los pasajeros and drivers. sin embargo, not all crashes pose the same risk of injury—certain types are more likely to cause brain injuries than others:

• Head-on collisions. The sudden stop from a head-on collision can cause the head to jolt forward, leading to direct impact or sudden movement within the skull.
• Colisiones traseras. Often resulting in whiplash injuries, rear-end accidents can cause concussions even if there’s no direct impact to the head. The neck and head whip forward and backward quickly, shifting the brain inside the skull.
• Side-impact (T-Bone) collisions. A side collision pushes the body laterally, often leading to head impact against the window or other interior parts of the car.
• Rollover accidents. Rollover accidents carry the highest concussion risk of any crash type, con un 4.73% chance compared to 1.64% for other collisions. Multiple impacts in rollovers increase the likelihood of severe concussions or other head injuries.
• Sideswipe accidents. Although sideswipes are typically less severe, sudden lateral movements can still cause minor concussive injuries, especially if the head hits a side surface.

3. Signs of Concussion After a Car Accident Aren’t Always Immediate—Know What to Watch For

Concussion symptoms after a car accident don’t always appear right away. Unlike visible injuries, signs of a concussion can be delayed, with some showing up immediately and others hours or even days later. Here are some car accident concussion symptoms to watch for:

Immediate Signs:

• Headache or dizziness. Headaches may range from mild to intense, and dizziness can make balance difficult.
• Confusion or disorientation. Feeling “foggy” or mentally scattered can happen right after the impact, affecting focus and awareness.
• Nausea and vomiting. An upset stomach or nausea, with or without vomiting, may indicate brain injury.

Delayed Symptoms:

• Sensitivity to light or sound. Bright lights and loud sounds may become overwhelming, even if you were comfortable with them before.
• Memory and concentration issues. Problems recalling details or staying focused can develop as the brain processes the injury.
• Mood changes. Irritability, tristeza, or mood swings might show up later, indicating possible brain trauma.
• Balance and vision problems. Blurred vision or unsteady balance may become noticeable after the initial impact.

4. Not All Concussions Are the Same: They Vary in Severity

Not all concussions are alike—severity can range from mild to severe based on symptoms and recovery time. In the past, doctors used different grading scales, like the Cantu, Colorado Medical Society (CMS), and American Academy of Neurology (AAN) to evaluate the injury’s seriousness.

Hoy, healthcare providers focus on individualized evaluations that consider each patient’s specific symptoms and recovery needs. Here’s an overview of these tests and what they measure: