Everyone Should Know These 5 Things About Treating Concussions After an Injury

Learn the five things to know about concussions if you’ve been injured.

Concussions are more common than people realize. A concussion is the result of a direct hit to the head. It can be caused by:

• Car accidents.
• Falls.
• Sports accidents.
• Any type of collision.
• Blast injuries.

Unfortunately, many people don’t seek proper care for concussions because they aren’t informed about the risks and dangers associated with this very serious injury. In many cases, people assume that there’s nothing that can be done during the post-injury phase to enhance recovery from a concussion. The truth is that there are some very important steps to take after a concussion that can help to protect your brain. Keep reading to learn five important things most people are never told about healing from concussions.

1. Concussions Can Produce a Variety of Symptoms

How do you know if you have a concussion? Concussions can actually produce a myriad of symptoms. Here’s a look at the symptoms that might be expressed when someone is suffering from a concussion.

• Losing consciousness for any amount of time.
• Difficulty recalling events before, during, or after the hit or fall.
• Appearing dazed or stunned.
• Moving clumsily.
• Forgetting instructions.
• Answering questions slowly.
• Displaying mood or personality changes.
• Headache.
• Pressure in the head.
• Feelings of nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Slurred speech.
• Blurry vision.
• Drowsiness.
• Feeling bothered by light or noise.
• Feelings of sluggishness or haziness.
• Feeling “off.”

It’s not necessary to experience all of the symptoms of a concussion to have good reason to suspect that you’ve been concussed. It’s very possible to only experience one symptom. You may also experience symptoms in succession instead of all at once.

2. It Can Take Hours to Days for Concussion Symptoms to Appear

Most people will experience signs of concussion immediately after a fall or hit. However, the absence of observable symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a concussion doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear. Concussion symptoms may not show up for anywhere between a few hours to a few days. If your head has taken the brunt of the impact in any way, it’s important to not dismiss the idea of a concussion just because you’re able to function normally right after an accident.

3. You Need to Be Seen by a Medical Professional Following a Suspected Concussion

A concussion isn’t something that should be treated at home. Leaving a concussion untreated can potentially lead to long-term complications. It’s not uncommon for people with untreated concussions to experience the post-concussion syndrome. Persistent post-concussion syndrome is characterized by lingering symptoms that last beyond the expected recovery time for a head injury. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, brain fog, mood issues, and concentration issues.

4. You Might Have Additional Injuries

If you experienced a concussion, there’s a good chance that the impact that left you with a head injury was forceful enough to cause other injuries. This is something that’s seen with car accidents. Concussions are commonly accompanied by whiplash. It can actually be difficult to tell the difference between whiplash symptoms and concussion symptoms because the two injuries have many overlapping symptoms. In addition, you may have experienced additional soft-tissue injuries that can lead to neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain if you’ve been injured in any kind of fall or accident. It’s smart to have your musculoskeletal health assessed by a chiropractor or physical therapist following a severe injury to check for other injuries that may be overlooked.

5. Rest Is Key

The importance of rest following a concussion cannot be overstated. Our brains recover during sleep. Consider taking short naps in addition to your normal full night of sleep if you feel that you’re more tired than usual following your daily activities. It’s also important to give your brain a rest from distractions that can include books, television, music, or phones. Exerting your brain can slow down the healing process following a concussion. While the focus is on healing the brain following a concussion, allowing the body to rest can also be important. Avoid any activities that significantly increase your heart rate while healing from a concussion.

You’re Not Alone If You’re Suffering From a Concussion

It’s believed that between 1.6 and 3.8 million concussions occur across the United States every year. Concussion awareness is important because taking proper steps to heal from your injury can significantly increase your chances of overcoming symptoms. At Guardian Medical, we understand the importance of getting proper care from the best providers following a head injury. That’s why we provide access to medical doctors capable of helping to diagnose, document, and treat your concussion symptoms. Call 303-222-0363 today to learn more.