Concussion Types
Not all concussions are alike!
If someone sustains a concussion, what symptoms might we expect? Headaches, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, drowsiness, and dizziness are among the most common symptoms that may occur. However, not everyone will experience these symptoms at the same intensity, for the same amount of time, or even at all!
The more we learn about concussions, the more we have identified that each person (and presentation!) is different and should be treated as such. Even though each case may have similar signs and symptoms, each person may respond differently to a concussion and the cause of those symptoms can vary between people. For instance, a headache is the most common symptom experienced after a concussion, but a headache can be caused by altered metabolic activity within the brain, impaired visual function, injury to the muscles and joints of the neck, fatigue, anxiety, etc. Luckily, due to increased research investigating concussions, we are more versed in concussions now than we have ever been before.
It is now clear that concussions are not a “one size fits all” diagnosis. Clinical research has identified multiple subtypes of concussions with different causes, presentations, and treatment options.
Concussion Subtypes
The most common concussion subtypes managed in an outpatient physical therapy clinic include physiologic, vestibular, ocular, and cervical concussions.
- Physiologic concussion symptoms are the result of altered metabolic activity and energy demands on the brain and worsen with physical exertion
- Vestibular concussion symptoms originate from vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction and can cause dizziness and impaired balance
- Ocular concussion symptoms result in visual dysfunction that can cause blurry vision, double vision, and difficulty tracking objects
- Cervical concussion symptoms originate from structures of the neck including the muscles, joints, and ligaments and can cause neck pain and headaches
Other concussion subtypes include post-traumatic migraine, cognitive/fatigue, and anxiety/mood, each of which is best managed with the help of other medical professionals.
- Post-traumatic migraine concussion symptoms include headaches, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound
- Cognitive/fatigue concussion symptoms include fatigue, headache with cognitive demands, and difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety/mood concussion symptoms include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and depressed feelings
However, it is common that multiple subtypes present at the same time for a given individual, which is called a mixed concussion presentation. Therefore, it is recommended that a thorough clinical examination is performed to develop an individualized treatment program for the specific presenting conditions. Remember, every person is different, and every concussion is different!