A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that alters your normal brain functioning. It is mainly caused by a bump, violent shock, or blow to your head. A strong hit to the body causing your head to jerk backward, forward, backward, or sideways forcefully can cause a concussion. Concussions bruise nerves and blood vessels, causing brain chemical changes and temporary loss of brain function. Concussions are not life-threatening, but the symptoms can be severe, lasting for days or more. Atlanta concussion treatment varies, but mental and physical rest is essential for all patients. Most patients recover within fourteen to twenty-one days.
Symptoms of concussion
Headache is the most common symptom of concussion. You can also experience nausea, vomiting, confusion, double or blurry vision, and temporary loss of consciousness. Balance problems, ringing in the ears, drowsiness, light and noise sensitivity, concentration problems, depression, and memory loss are other common symptoms of concussion.
Infants’ confusion is challenging to diagnose because they cannot say how they feel. Concussion in kids mainly results from hitting their heads. Bumps on the head, vomiting, irritability, sleep pattern changes, a blank stare, not eating, and being fussy than usual are common symptoms in kids with concussions. A child with a concussion may not stop crying even after being comforted.
Seek immediate medical care if you or your infant experiences severe headaches, seizures, convulsions, or loss of consciousness, lasting more than one minute. Severe dizziness or difficulties walking, repeated vomiting, and extreme confusion like unrecognizing people are other symptoms that need emergency treatment. Watery discharge from your nose or ears, bloody discharge from your ears, numbness in your legs or arms, unusual behavior, and slurred speech also need urgent medical care.
Treatment for concussion
Rest
Physical and mental rest can help you recover from a concussion. Rest and sleep more each day but do not rest one hundred percen. Too much mental rest can prolong your recovery and make you too sensitive to activities when you resume them. Do not stop your daily duties entirely. Instead, recognize triggers that cause concussion symptoms.
Avoid activities like reading, watching television, playing video games, listening to loud music, and spending long periods on your computer or smartphone. These activities can trigger concussion symptoms. Avoid physical activities like athletic games because they can also worsen or induce concussion symptoms.
Medications
Acetaminophen can help reduce headaches. Avoid aspirin and non-steroidal inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen if you suspect a concussion. These medications can mask symptoms and thin your blood, increasing the chances of bleeding.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is where you breathe pure oxygen under pressure. The pressure promotes your lungs to absorb more oxygen than usual. The additional oxygen reduces concussion symptoms and enhances brain healing.
Vestibular therapy
Vestibular therapy is a unique form of physical therapy. It treats concussion symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems.
A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury. Most concussion patients experience headaches. In most cases, concussions heal independently through mental and physical rest. Pain relievers can help reduce headaches. Schedule an appointment at Spine Center Atlanta for concussion treatment to resume your regular duties.
