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People should seek a diagnosis and treatment after a head injury, especially if they were unconscious, and an early diagnosis can lead to a better recovery. Signs of a concussion include headaches, nausea or vomiting, exhaustion, dizziness, vision problems, sensitivity to light and sound, problems with attention and memory, brain fog, unusual irritability or sadness, and unusual sleep patterns.

Treatment for a traumatic brain injury will be different depending on the severity of the problem. For mild injuries, treatment may involve rest and over-the-counter pain or headache medication. For moderate or severe injuries, treatment may involve stabilization, medication, and rehabilitative therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, and counseling.

The recovery time for a traumatic brain injury depends on the individual and the severity and nature of the injury; the length of time spent unconscious is often an indicator of severity. Recovery time for mild injuries may be a week or two while recovery time for more severe injuries may be six months to two years. Research suggests that the vast majority of recovery occurs in the first two years after an injury; recovery after that time frame is less certain.

If a traumatic brain injury is left untreated, it can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems. Physical problems may include dizziness, headaches, vision, healing, or speech loss, and an elevated risk of dementia. Psychological problems may include impairments of memory, judgment, and decision-making, depression, aggression, poor impulse control, and personality changes.