How Long Does A Mild Concussion Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 to 6 Days

The word “concussion” is derived from the Latin word, “concutere” which refers to shaking violently. It is the most common and the least harmful brain injury of all. In this injury, the brain moves all of a sudden in a person’s head and it is caused by an abrupt direct hit to the head of a shock to the head.

Proper treatment of concussions is vital to prevent damage. Moreover, after the treatment, one needs to rest and be away from harm. This would be vital to enable quick recovery and stave off much damage.

How Long Does A Mild Concussion Last?

Concussions are graded into 4 types. These are Grade 0, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4. Out of these, concussions of type Grade 0 and Grade 1are regarded as mild concussions.

The Grade 0 concussion lasts for about 1 to 2 days. It is the least impactful of all and the patient only suffers headaches and trouble in focussing on things for some time. It is regarded as mild as it can be over in just a couple of hours while producing a minimum of trouble.

The Grade 1 concussion lasts for comparatively more time than Grade 0. It can last for 1 to 3 days and results in effects like headaches, fatigue, and trouble concentrating. Grade 1 concussion is also regarded as mild as compared to Grade 3 and Grade 4, it still produces a lot less trouble.

Grade 2 is regarded as a moderate concussion and it lasts for 2 to 5 days. In this type of concussion, there are prolonged effects of feeling dazed, grumpiness, feeling sensitivity to light or noise, and amnesia.

The effects of Grade 3 and Grade 4 are categorized as severe and they last for over a week, sometimes lasting for nearly two weeks. In these types of concussions, the person experiences a loss of consciousness. The duration of consciousness increases with the severity of the concussion.

Why Does A Mild Concussion Last So Long?

The human brain is made up of soft tissue and a fluid called the spinal fluid. Although the brain is enclosed in a protecting shell of the skull, it still faces a continuous risk of several damages. One such damage is a concussion.

Whenever the human brain suffers either a bump or a blow on the head, it can result in adverse consequences. It results in a jolt in the brain making it move in the head. The effect of the jolt is determined by the magnitude of the blow or bump.

In between the Grade 0 concussion and the Grade 1 concussion, the former one is the milder concussion. This is because sometimes it lasts for just a few hours before being ineffective. Moreover, its effects are very mild and can be passed on as mild headaches.

When the concussion suffered is of mild effects, it will last for the short term. Concussions of Grade 0 and Grade 1 are mild concussions without much effect on the body and main. Hence, such concussions last for shorter periods.

Although the Grade 2 concussion is more severe than the two, it is graded overall as mild. This is because even it lasts for only a few days and its effects are very similar to the Grade 1 concussion.

Conclusion

A concussion is a result of a bump or a blow on the head. The soft tissue of the brain is packed between spinal fluid and surrounded by the skull. Whenever there is any disturbance, it results in the movement of the brain around the head. The severity of the disturbance decides the extent of the concussion.

There are 5 grades of concussion. Grade 0 and Grade 1 concussions are regarded as mild concussions and they last for less than 2 days. Grade 2 concussion is a moderate concussion lasting for 2 to 5 days while Grade 3 and Grade 4 concussion is severe and can last for a few weeks.

References

1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmcp064645
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673675902883