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All about Concussion:

A concussion is a sensitive traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may occur due to an impact on the head which may have caused the head and brain to shake back and forth. They are not life-threatening but may cause serious symptoms that need medical treatment. A concussion is usually confused with contusion. A concussion affects the brain whereas contusions are bruises.
Symptoms of Concussion:
The signs of a concussion include:
  • balance problems or problems walking
  • confusion or loss of coordination
  • dizziness
  • evidence of blood or clear fluid from nose or ear
  • drowsiness or feeling sluggish
  • double vision or blurred vision
  • unequal pupil size or abnormal eye movement
  • headache
  • irritability
  • memory problems
  • nausea or vomiting
  • slowed reaction to stimuli
  • slurred speech
  • sensitivity to light or noise
  • repeated vomiting
  • unconsciousness or inability to wake up
The symptoms may start immediately or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following your injury.
Also See: Qualities of Good Physiotherapist
Management of concussion:
Managing concussion is not rocket science; it can be managed by taking care of some very basic things mentioned below.
  • consume healthy nutritious food
  • take medicines advised by the doctor on time
  • sleep well at night and take rest during the day
  • do not start the regular activities at one go: do everything little by little
  • do not stress yourself both physically and mentally
  • avoid exposure to bright light and loud noise
  • let the people at work know about the concussion
  • do not get back to work before consulting the doctor
  • do not consume alcohol or other drugs
  • do not travel a lot
  • avoid strenuous work
Treatment of concussion in a child (babies and toddlers):
The child needs to cut back on strenuous physical activities and activities requiring concentration.
Help your child follow these steps:
  • Let the child relax at home. Involve them in mild calming activities
  • Do not allow them to use gadgets
  • Let him/her get plenty of sleep
  • Maintain regular sleep and wake time
Also See: Benefits of Physiotherapy
Treatment of concussion in teenagers:
  • Let them take a break from school or college
  • Let the teachers know about their condition
  • If they are into sports, let them take a break from it.
  • Do not let him or her drive
  • Do not let them use gadgets especially before sleeping
  • Let them stay calm and not stress about anything
  • Ask them to avoid caffeine
  • Tell them to take a nap during the day
Treatment of concussion in adults:
The treatment for a concussion depends on the severity of the symptoms. One might need surgery or any other medical procedures if there is:
  • a serious injury to the brain
  • bleeding in the brain
  • swelling of the brain
Generally, concussions do not require any major medical treatment or surgery.
If the concussion is causing headaches, the doctor might recommend pain relievers. The adults are also advised to take a break from work, avoid exercise and lot of work. The use of phones and gadgets should be minimal. Avoid driving vehicle, avoid caffeine. Stay calm; do not stress about anything.
Frequently Asked Questions:
  • Is it necessary for the person to stay awake for 24 hours soon after one suffered from a head injury?
    It is important to keep awakening the person who suffered from a head injury to make sure that their condition is not deteriorating. If they do not awaken, it might be an indication of a serious situation. CT scan or MRI is advised to evaluate fractured skull of serious head or brain injury. However, at some point, the patient needs rest for quick healing.

  • Why is it important to take rest after concussion?
    Rest is the key to get healed quickly after concussion. It is encouraged to always take the doctor’s advice before returning to strenuous tasks like sports, cleaning, traveling, etc. If a second concussion occurs before the first concussion is healed completely, it leads to a condition called second-impact syndrome. This can increase the chance of severe brain swelling and is fatal. It is suggested to take time to rest after the occurrence of concussion. It helps the brain to heal. After the doctor suggests to get back to the activities, it should be done gradually.

  • If a child suffers from a concussion, will he/she be ok?
    The child who sustains a concussion mostly likely recovers from it without any further complications. They must be diagnosed and treated well. Rest is the key; they should not be allowed to stress mentally or physically. Make them take their medicines on time (if any – suggested by the doctor).

  • How to prevent concussions?
    Generally, it cannot be prevented. However, by doing some exercises to strengthen the neck, the chances of concussion can be reduced. If it has occurred already, only rest can heal it.