Why Some Concussion Symptoms Only Show Up Hours or Days Later

While falls and injuries are natural, a fall that impacts your head can turn out to be serious if not looked into properly. A concussion is one of the most common forms of traumatic brain injury caused by such falls, which have had a direct impact on the head. These concussions can cause mild headaches to severe issues like forgetfulness or memory loss. 

This is why timely medical intervention plays an important role in treating concussions. While the symptoms of a concussion may start to show up right away in some cases, it is not always the same. In some cases, the symptoms of a concussion only start to show up days or weeks after the injury or fall has taken place. 

People often tend to neglect these delayed concussion symptoms, leading to severe consequences in the future. This is why it is always best to understand these symptoms and get them treated at the right time. 

How Does a Concussion Affect the Brain?

To understand the symptoms of a concussion, we must first understand how it affects the brain. A concussion happens when a fall or a hit to the head causes the brain to move suddenly inside the skull. 

Such rapid movements of the brain can either cause damage to the brain cells or interrupt the communication between the neurons, thereby bringing about some chemical changes in our brain. These chemical changes cause our brain to dysfunction, causing us headaches or other symptoms. 

Why Are a Few Concussion Symptoms Delayed? 

1. Chemical Changes in the Brain

As mentioned above, the sudden impact on the head causes a rush of chemicals to flood the brain as a response to the injury. The large amount of chemicals rushing to the brain naturally tends to disrupt the brain’s natural functioning. Sometimes, the changes caused by the chemicals may not show up instantly but build up over time, causing symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, or even sensitivity to light and sound. 

2. Swelling and Inflammation 

When an injury occurs, swelling and inflammation are one way that our body heals. So, when an injury happens to the brain, the natural reaction of our body may cause swelling or inflammation in the brain. However, when a swelling occurs in the brain, the pressure inside the skull increases. This pressure leads to delayed concussion symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or changes in vision. 

3. Adrenaline or Shock 

When we are in an accident or have a sudden impact on our head, our body goes into a fight or flight response, releasing adrenaline into our system. The rush of adrenaline can initially mask the pain caused by the accident and any other symptoms. Sometimes, the delayed symptoms, such as dizziness, pain, or fatigue, may appear once the effect of the adrenaline wears off. 

4. Emotional Stress

When we get back to our normal routine after the injury or accident, our brain is forced to concentrate on the current tasks. This causes the brain to push aside the pain or other symptoms of the injury. But these symptoms may later show up as concentration issues, mood swings, irritability, or memory loss. 

What are the common delayed concussion symptoms? 

If you have recently been involved in a head injury, it is always best to look out for these symptoms to ensure that the concussion is treated on time. The common symptoms include the following:

• Persistent or recurring headaches 
• Trouble with concentration 
• Sensitivity to noise and light 
• Mood swings 
• Sleep issues 
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Blurred Vision 
• Dizziness 

Conclusion 

If you have any such symptoms, even if minor, it is always best to get them checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. Leaving them unattended may cause severe issues. Early attention can also ensure a quicker recovery.