Every year, approximately 2.5 million Americans experience traumatic brain injury (TBI). It’s the leading cause of death and disabilities in individuals between the ages of one and 44.
This type of head trauma commonly results in brain contusions and concussions. The terms are often mistakenly used interchangeably. However, knowing the difference between a contusion vs. concussion is important.
It can help you avoid permanent cognitive issues and even death and can lower the risk of mental health disorders.
This article discusses the differences between a contusion and a concussion. It will help you understand the symptoms and learn how to treat them effectively.
Understanding Head Injuries
Head injury describes any damage to the scalp, skull, brain, or blood vessels and tissues in the head. When it affects the brain, it’s referred to as traumatic brain injury.
TBI disrupts normal brain function and usually occurs due to a violent blow or jolt to the head. A penetrating injury such as a gunshot can also cause TBI. Injuries can be as mild as a bruise or more severe as a fractured skull.
Common Causes of Head Injuries
Head injuries commonly occur from motor vehicle or motorcycle accidents. Other causes may include:
- Acts of violence due to assault, abuse, combat, or firearm-related suicide
- Falls from any height
- Home and work accidents
- Explosive blasts
Sports and recreational activities contribute to over 21% of all TBIs. They can happen when athletes collide, head a ball, or are hit by sporting equipment.
What Is a Concussion?
A blow to the head or excessive force with a whiplash effect can cause a concussion. It’s usually severe enough to shift the brain, causing it to strike the sides of the skull.
The impact bruises and stretches the brain’s nerves and arteries. This results in chemical changes causing temporary loss of normal brain function.
Concussions tend to affect a large area of the brain. Their effects will depend on the injury’s location, the force’s severity, and quality of care.
Concussions usually do not cause permanent damage. However, multiple concussions can result in structural changes in the brain over time.
Symptoms of Concussion
A headache is the most common symptom of a concussion. They are often intense. Individuals with a concussion may also experience the following physical symptoms:
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Ringing in the ears
- Balance problems due to lightheadedness and dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Changes in sleep patterns
A concussion may also affect behavior and cause:
- Confusion
- Memory loss, forgetfulness, or difficulty paying attention
- Trouble concentrating or understanding
- Fogginess or a sense of uneasiness
- Sadness or depression
- Anxiety, irritability, or nervousness
Symptoms usually occur within minutes of the injury, but some take hours to appear. They may also change a few days later, while others develop as the brain becomes stressed when used.
What Is a Brain Contusion?
A brain contusion is bruising of the brain tissue. It occurs when there’s a direct hit to the ridge of the skull or a strike to the brain.
The blow causes blood vessels to rupture and blood to pool in the area. Swelling can also occur causing a lesion that can extend to different depths of the brain.
The bleeding usually stops when the blood clots. However, the clotting increases cardiovascular risks which may be life-threatening.
Mild Contusions
Mild contusions can occur from walking headfirst into an object or being struck by one. The blow causes surface bruising and some pain at the impact site. There are usually no noticeable long-term effects.
Moderate Contusions
Moderate contusions are due to internal bleeding around or near the brain. Patients with them may also suffer from a concussion.
Severe Contusions
Severe contusions need immediate attention as they can be life-threatening. Concussions may occur with associated symptoms. Prompt treatment can sometimes prevent or lessen permanent damage.
Symptoms of Contusion
Brain injury symptoms vary based on the type of injury. Contusions may produce symptoms such as:
- Dilated pupils
- Localized tingling and numbness
- Changes in thinking
- Difficulty coordinating movements
- Inability to concentrate
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Memory challenges
Cognitive changes such as reduced intelligence or personality alterations can also occur.
Contusion vs. Concussion: Differentiating the Two
Knowing the difference between a concussion and a contusion can guide your recovery expectations. A concussion affects a large area of the brain, while a contusion causes bruising in a smaller area.
However, contusions caused by severe head trauma can affect a larger portion of the brain. This can lead to a concussion.
The symptoms of both also differ. Proper assessment usually helps with diagnosis. Doctors will also perform mental and physical tests, including an MRI and CT scan. The results will determine whether you have a contusion or a concussion.
Treatment and Recovery
Head injury treatment will involve rest and medication. Severe cases may require blood clot removal or skull fracture repair.
There may also be high intracranial pressure. Patients experiencing this may need to have excess fluids drained from their skulls. Recovery can range from days to months.
Concussion Recovery Tips
Although rest is important, too much can lengthen concussion recovery time. It may also lead to greater sensitivity when you return to doing certain activities.
Concussion recovery tips may include learning to recognize what triggers your symptoms. You’ll need to rest when symptoms occur and limit activities that worsen them. Your doctor will recommend adding more activities as your symptoms improve.
Contusion Care
There isn’t a general contusion care guide, as treatment will vary based on the severity and location of the contusion.
Time is usually all that you need for mild contusions. Moderate and severe contusions may require prescription medication and invasive surgery.
Effective Treatment for Head Injuries in Nevada
Immediate care is the first step to the effective treatment of TBI. In some cases, this can lessen long-term effects and even prevent death. Proper diagnosis is also important. Different treatments become necessary when dealing with a contusion vs. concussion.
Neurocare of Nevada will accurately diagnose your head injury. We will also provide the neurological care and treatment you need for full recovery. We’ve been treating Las Vegas residents for the past 24 years and can do the same for you.
Start your road to recovery by scheduling an appointment with us today!
