Treatment FAQ

what are the treatment options for a concussion

by Gerhard McKenzie MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The top 5 most effective evidence-based treatment options for concussion:

  1. Exercise Therapy. Following concussion, animal (and many human) studies have demonstrated a reduction in blood flow to the brain in the early stages.
  2. Manual Therapy & Neck Rehab. With every concussion, there is also a whiplash. ...
  3. Diet/Nutritional Changes. ...
  4. Vestibular and Visual Rehab. ...

More items...

Physical and mental rest
Your doctor will recommend that you physically and mentally rest to recover from a concussion. Relative rest, which includes limiting activities that require thinking and mental concentration, is recommended for the first two days after a concussion.
Feb 17, 2022

Full Answer

What is the best concussion treatment?

The best way to manage a concussion is to rest by limiting both mental and physical exertion. Some patients may also benefit from post-concussion rehabilitation programs.

What treatments are available for concussion?

Oct 05, 2020 · In the hours and days following a concussion, over-the-counter acetaminophen is the recommended pain reliever. NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause bleeding problems, and one of the most pressing concerns of a concussion is bleeding in the brain.

What therapy is needed After a concussion?

Other evaluation and concussion treatment options include visiting your primary care provider or going to urgent care. For their safety, your young athlete will need to be cleared by a physician and complete a return-to-play progression before being allowed to resume sports activities. IMPACT BASELINE CONCUSSION TESTING

Are there alternative treatments for concussions?

Jun 29, 2016 · The top 5 most effective evidence-based treatment options for concussion: 1. Exercise Therapy. Following concussion, animal (and many human) studies have demonstrated a reduction in blood flow... 2. Manual Therapy & Neck Rehab. With every concussion, there is also a whiplash. It is therefore ...

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What are 3 treatment options for a concussion?

The top 5 most effective evidence-based treatment options for concussion:Exercise Therapy. ... Manual Therapy & Neck Rehab. ... Diet/Nutritional Changes. ... Vestibular and Visual Rehab. ... Education and Reassurance (due to Psychological Comorbidities)Jun 29, 2016

What are some common treatments for concussions?

Treatment can include:Over-the-counter pain relievers.Drinking plenty of water. Concussions can cause nausea and vomiting, which lead to dehydration.Getting enough rest.Taking a break from sports and other strenuous activities.Not driving a vehicle right away. ... Avoiding alcohol while recovering. ... Brain rest.

What is the most effective treatment for a concussion?

CBT can be very effective for patients who are suffering from mood changes after a concussion, most commonly depression or anxiety. Why it might work: CBT is a highly effective treatment for many mood and anxiety disorders, often providing clinically meaningful relief within weeks or months.

What is the initial treatment for a concussion?

Initial management of concussion includes brief cognitive and physical rest. The degree and duration of rest are not well defined, but most guidelines recommend at least 24 to 48 hours. No medications are available specifically for concussion.Apr 1, 2019

How do you treat a concussion in the elderly?

An important part of treatment for a concussion is getting plenty of rest, both sleep at night and naps or rest breaks during the day if needed. Your doctor will probably tell you to avoid certain physical activities and sports while you recover and may suggest medicine to take if you have a headache.

When should you go to the hospital for a concussion?

Signs of a more serious injury such as bleeding and /or swelling in the brain can be seen in the first 24 to 48 hours. Call 911 or go to the hospital right away for any of these possible life threatening issues: won't wake up or is very hard to wake up. become more confused, restless, or agitated.

What are the stages of a concussion?

There are three grades: Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.Aug 25, 2020

What are 3 symptoms of a concussion?

Headache or “pressure” in head.Nausea or vomiting.Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.Bothered by light or noise.Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

How do you treat a head injury at home?

Be guided by your doctor, but self-care suggestions include:Don't drive home from the hospital. ... Rest quietly for the day.Use icepacks over any swollen or painful area.Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol for any headache. ... Arrange for someone to stay with you for the next 24 hours, in case you need help.More items...

Is it safe to sleep with a concussion?

Sleeping isn't dangerous when you have a concussion. You won't slip into a coma or die if you go to sleep after getting a concussion. It's safe for a concussed person to sleep if they are awake and can hold a conversation, and they don't have obvious concussion symptoms.Jul 6, 2021

Diagnosis for Concussions

As soon as you come to the hospital, the doctor will evaluate your signs and symptoms, check your medical history, and conduct neurological testing. Often concussion signs and symptoms appear hours or days after the injury. The doctor will put you through a neurological examination, cognitive testing, and imaging tests.

Treatment of a concussion

Specialists recommend having some mental and physical rest after a concussion. Have a break from your everyday businesses and chill out at home. You can order some pizza and chill out. It is essential to let your body rest in the first few days after a concussion.

Conclusion

Traumatic brain injury can cause concussions; this is a severe condition that will make you feel terrible. Thus, it is essential to get all concussion tests and stick to your doctor’s recommendations. It will include having someone watch over you for 24 hours after the accident or to stay overnight in the hospital.

How to manage a concussion?

Rehabilitation and Recovery Time for Concussions. The best way to manage a concussion is to rest by limiting both mental and physical exertion. Some patients may also benefit from post-concussion rehabilitation programs.

How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

Although recovery time varies from person-to-person, ranging from several minutes to days, weeks, months or even longer, research suggests that children and adolescents need more time to recoup from concussions than college students or professional athletes.

What is the best medicine for a concussion?

4. Creatine . In a study published in the journal Acta Paediatrica, researchers suggest that supplementing with creatine after the diagnosis of a concussion improves several concussion symptoms including amnesia, headache, dizziness and fatigue.

How to heal from a concussion?

Other natural concussion treatment options to help recovery include diffusing lavender oil and other stress-reducing essential oils and participating in music therapy. Sleep and rest. Light exercise.

How long does it take for a concussion to heal?

The vast majority of people who have a concussion will recover completely in a few days or weeks; however, serious complications can occur in the elderly, infants, children, and those who have experienced multiple concussions.

How long after a concussion should you monitor?

A thorough examination and monitoring are necessary first steps in concussion treatment, or after any head trauma. The first 24 hours after the injury are crucial. ( 2) Losing consciousness is a symptom of a concussion, but the loss of consciousness is not the only determining factor.

How long does it take to diagnose a concussion?

Conventional Concussion Treatment. Diagnosing a concussion requires a thorough physical examination. The first 24 hours after a brain injury are crucial, and patients require observation either in the hospital or at home. The medical team will want details surrounding the event and information on past head injuries.

What are the risk factors for a concussion?

Recognized risk factors include: Participating in contact sports like hockey, football, soccer, martial arts, boxing and wrestling. Participating in non-contact sports like cycling, cheerleading and baseball.

What foods help you recover from a syphilis?

Great sources of these healthy fats include wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, flaxseed, walnuts, tuna and grass-fed dairy.

How to get rid of a concussion?

Sleep disturbance is one of the central symptoms of a concussion and can interfere with the healing process. Practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time every night, turn off the light at bedtime, and eliminate distractions. Relax before bedtime and avoid heavy meals, excitement, or stimulants like caffeine.

What is the best pain medication for a concussion?

The safest pain medication in the hours or days after a concussion is acetaminophen.

What is the SCAT5 for concussions?

Coaches, athletes, and parents should be familiar with concussion assessment tools such as the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) or the Child SCAT5. Concussions are graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Mild, or grade 1 concussions have symptoms that resolve in less than 15 minutes.

How long does a concussion last?

Mild, or grade 1 concussions have symptoms that resolve in less than 15 minutes. Moderate, or grade 2 concussions, have symptoms that hang on for longer than 15 minutes. Losing consciousness for any amount of time automatically moves the injury into a grade 3 or severe concussion.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that disrupts brain function. A blow to the head, whiplash, or anything that causes the head to jerk can cause a concussion. The exact mechanism of concussions is not well understood. A concussion may or may not involve actual physical damage to the brain tissues.

What is the diagnosis of a concussion?

The diagnosis of concussion is clinical. The healthcare provider will look for symptoms or signs of a concussion, determine how the injury happened, how long it took for symptoms to appear, any history of previous concussions, and how long the symptoms have lasted.

How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

Most people can expect to be 90% recovered in three or four weeks after the injury. The most important treatment is rest and a gradual return to physical and mental activity. In the days following a concussion, headaches are the most common and often the most debilitating symptom.

How to treat a concussion?

The top 5 most effective evidence-based treatment options for concussion: 1. Exercise Therapy. Following concussion, animal (and many human) studies have demonstrated a reduction in blood flow to the brain in the early stages. Recent research has found that these blood flow changes may persist for some time following injury due to ongoing ...

How long does a concussion last?

Concussion is an injury that typically resolves quite quickly in most people (symptoms generally disappear for 80-90% of patients within 7 to 10 days); however, whiplash symptoms can linger for up to a year or more.

Can concussions mimic mental illness?

Not only that, the symptoms of these and other mental health conditions can result in, or mimic, the same symptoms of concussion (dizziness, mental confusion, concentration problems, sadness, emotional outbursts).

Do concussions need rest?

Historically, patients with concussion were told to rest, rest, rest. And when that didn’t work, they were told to rest some more. The research on concussions is evolving at an exponential rate and we are realizing that not only does prolonged rest not work; it can actually make you worse. Sadly, many healthcare practitioners are not keeping up ...

Does exercise help with concussion recovery?

More recent evidence suggests that exercise might even help speed recovery in the early stages after concussion! It is important to see someone who knows exactly what they are doing with this protocol. Testing with a trained professional must be done first to establish set points as well as your specific program.

Is moderate rest important after injury?

While it is true that during the early stages following injury, moderate rest is still important, that timeline seems to be getting shorter, with longer duration rest creating worse outcomes for patients. 3,4,5.

Is mental health a part of concussion management?

Studies examining the overlay of mental health and concussion are endless (so much so that I won’t even begin to start referencing them), and mental health will always be a big part of concussion management. In most cases, patients often feel much better following some education and reassurance.

What is the best medicine for a concussion?

In fact, the most effective prescription for a concussion is rest—total rest. 1  For some people that may be easier said than done. But, by giving both the body and brain an extended time-out, the damage caused by a concussion will heal. Verywell / Colleen Tighe.

How to tell if you have a concussion?

Only a doctor can definitively diagnose a concussion, but there are a number of common symptoms to look out for after a head injury: 5. Dizziness/loss of balance. Disorientation and confusion. A persistent headache that worsens over time. Nausea and/or vomiting.

How long does it take for a concussion to go away?

You should begin to feel "normal" and free of headaches, dizziness, fuzzy thinking, and other concussion symptoms after two to three of weeks of rest. This means giving your body and your brain a chance to recover according to your doctor's instructions. If after 14 days of rest your symptoms haven't begun to diminish, tell your doctor. 3.

Can you take Tylenol for headaches?

There's no medication required, although Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help if there's a headache. 1  Sometimes after a head injury, an overnight stay in the hospital for observation is advisable, but it's rarely necessary. Only a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) would require an intervention such as surgery.

Is it safe to rush to recovery from a concussion?

One thing that is certain is that there's no rushing recovering from a concussion. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) notes the recovery process for a concussion can be very uneven. A person who's on the mend from a concussion is likely to have days during which he or she feels better than other days.

Can you read while recovering from a concussion?

2  Even listening to music can tax the brain. You likely will be advised to stay home from school or work while recovering from a concussion.

Is Tylenol safe for headaches?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) cause blood to thin, which can increase the risk of bleeding in the brain. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a safer option for a headache associated with a head injury. 4.

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