If you have been in a car accident before, it’s possible that you have also had to deal with concussions before. You probably know about the short term consequences of concussions, but are there long term effects that you should be on the lookout for?
According to Medical News Today, there might be. If you have suffered from a severe concussion in the past, you could potentially deal with decades of side effects. A study was conducted among athletes who had suffered previous concussions. The end result showed that the brain can continue showing abnormal wave activity and patterns even years after the initial injury. Additionally, motor pathways can potentially diminish, which can cause you physical problems such as difficulty keeping a strong grasp, or potential shakiness, or even troubles with balancing.
Tests and studies have shown that concussive symptoms can also mimic the early stages of Parkinson’s disease in some, and that older athletes can sometimes show damage in the same brain areas that are affected by Alzheimer’s. So in addition to potential issues with motor capabilities, there are also potential memory issues or attention problems that you may face if you have had a severe concussion. Multiple concussions or concussions that are not treated properly can also have similar effects.
In the end, these issues can cause cognitive damage that can extend far beyond your physical age. Because of these potential long term effects, it’s suggested that you see a doctor immediately if you suffer concussive trauma to the head during an accident, so that it can be treated properly.
