Concussion

Head injuries often are mild and without long lasting concern.  "Bumps" or "goose eggs" or "black eyes" usually resolve with no special attention.  More serious head injuries may result in temporary alteration of level of consciousness or awareness (cerebral concussion) or sustained problems. Severe head injury can result in bleeding within the brain or over its surface, and surgical or medical or CAT or MRI evaluations may be be needed to assess severity of injury.  Patients with head injury with loss of consciousness or with any sustained symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, headache, double vision, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, dizziness should seek medical evaluation. 

            Concussions may result in temporary memory loss and may be followed by headaches, lethargy, blurred vision, or other problems.  Recurrent concussions within a short period can cause more long lasting or permanent impairment.  The article, Sports-Related Recurrent Brain Injury, provides a concise review of mild brain injury, especially as it relates to every day activities.  The information is equally relevant to head injuries, which may occur from car accidents or on the job.
                        Additional information about traumatic brain injury is available from the United States Center for Disease Control and from a website maintained by Virginia Commonwealth University.