Concussions: diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment

Any type of brain injury is one that requires your immediate attention. If you leave a concussion untreated, for example, it could cause you a variety of problems in both the short and long term.

Generally speaking, a concussion happens when you suffer a blow to your head. For example, this could happen if you work in the construction industry and a heavy object falls on your head from a roof.

The most common signs and symptoms of a concussion include:

- Headache
- Feeling of pressure inside the head
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech

If you've been struck on the head, if you have any reason to believe you may have a concussion, you should not wait to seek medical attention.

Your medical team will order a variety of tests, such as an MRI and CT scan. This gives them the opportunity to learn more about your injury, while also ensuring that nothing more serious occurred. For example, they will want to check that there is no bleeding in your brain.

Once you receive a professional diagnosis, you can then learn more about treatment options. Fortunately, a concussion alone will not require surgery. However, if this is accompanied by another type of injury, such as a skull fracture, this may be necessary.

Most people are able to treat a concussion with plenty of rest. This means avoiding both mental and physical activity for a period of several days, weeks, or even longer. Also, your doctor may prescribe pain medication to help you rest easy.

Since the best way to treat a concussion is with rest, you will not be able to return to work immediately following your injury. For this reason, you should not hesitate to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits.

If you receive a denial letter, read it from beginning to end to better understand your situation. From there, learn more about your rights. For example, you can file an appeal with the idea of receiving an approval in the near future.

If you continue to face trouble with your claim, it may be time to consult with a workers' compensation attorney. This person can protect your rights and hopefully help you receive benefits without additional delay.