Concussion?

Question

Hello,

Today I slammed the back of my head into a large pipe at close range and at a quick and rapid speed by accident. So I don't sound completely mental, I had flipped my hair over my face and was going to flip it back, and I didn't know I was standing in front of the pipe. The moment that I hit it, I remember closing my eyes and feeling a bit dizzy, but I was back to normal and laughing about my clumsiness in less than a second. I thought I had split my head open, but what I have now is just a large lump. It hurts a lot, which is expected, but I just want to know if this could have caused a mild concussion. I have felt fine besides the pain on my head, and I do have a mild headache, which is normal, but I wanted to get someone else's input on this: preferably someone who knows more about concussions than I do.

Thank you so much!

Answer 1

Technically, by medical standards, it is not a concussion unless you lose consciousness. You have to have been out for a period of time. Most people who get a concussion have other very obvious symptoms...repeating themselves, loss of memory, etc. The dizziness you felt was probably more from flipping your head around too fast, and then taking a whack on it before you had your bearings.

Answer 2

Yes, you can have a mild concussion without losing consciousness. That is exactly what a mild concussion (aka Grade I concussion) is, with symptoms usually lasting less than 15 minutes. Grade II and III usually involve symptoms lasting longer period of time and include loss of consciousness.

You will probably be fine, but let someone know what happened. The main concern with mild concussions is that it may get worse as time goes on. Which means it may have caused a hematoma which may cause loss of consciousness and brain damage. Do not take aspirin or pain meds (they will mask the symptoms and thin the blood - making a possible hematoma worse).

Answer 3

I've had a few concussions before and unless you pass out, have nausea,get confused, or dizzy I wouldn't worry about it. If any of those things happen you might want to go to the hospital.