what is the best first aid and long range treatment for a concussion

What to do after receiving a concussion?

Apr 22, 2021 · A 911 call or a trip to an emergency room for testing and treatment for possible concussion is important any time someone has a head injury. This is especially the case if the person lost consciousness.

What is the standard treatment for a concussion?

Feb 21, 2012 · Repeat concussions can cause serious and lasting problems, especially if a second concussion occurs before the full recovery from a first. This advice holds true for non-athletes as well, but regardless of what you were doing when you sustained an injury that led to a concussion, it's important to avoid any physical activities that could put ...

What are remedies for concussion?

Sep 14, 2021 · Is it good to put ice on a concussion? Ice will help with tissue inflammation and can help relieve headaches. But ice itself does not heal the brain injury. If it helps you feel better, there’s no problem with icing your head. It’s Always Best to Have an Experienced Professional’s Medical Assessment

How to identify and treat a concussion?

Following are the steps for first aid for concussion: Assess the Person – Examine the head for wounds and external injuries. However, keep in mind that minor scalp cuts and wounds tend to bleed profusely but do not cause much long-term damage. On the other hand, less visible injuries can even be fatal is not treated in time.

What is the best first aid for a concussion?

apply a cold compress to the injury to reduce swelling – a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel will do. take paracetamol to control any pain – do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can cause bleeding. avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs.Nov 4, 2021

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 is the standard treatment for a concussion?

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.

How do you treat a concussion at home?

How can you care for yourself at home?Rest is the best treatment for post-concussion syndrome.Do not drive if you have taken a prescription pain medicine.Rest in a quiet, dark room until your headache is gone. ... Put a cold, moist cloth or cold pack on the painful area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.More items...

What should you avoid when you have a concussion?

4 things to avoid after a concussionExcessive physical activity. An increased heart rate may worsen your symptoms, dragging out your recovery.Strenuous mental activities. Reading, computer work, playing video games, texting and watching TV can overstimulate your brain, says Dr. ... Driving too soon. ... Pain relievers.Aug 11, 2020

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 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.

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.

Why is it important to stay on the sidelines after a blow to the head?

Even a few seconds of feeling stunned or dizzy can indicate damage to the brain, and so it's vital to stay on the sidelines until testing indicates it's OK to get back into the game.

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.

How To Get Immediate Concussion Treatment

There are many misconceptions around concussions and concussion treatment. If you think you or a loved one has a concussion, what you do immediately following the injury matters.

Immediate First Aid Steps for a Concussion

The first step is to determine whether you need to go to the emergency room. Seek immediate medical care if you observe any of these symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI):

An Active Approach to Recovery Will Improve Concussion Outcomes

Most doctors agree that patients should rest for the first 24-48 hours after a concussion. There is, however, disagreement on what happens after this initial rest period.

Neural Effects Provides the Latest in Concussion Treatment

The Neural Effects concussion clinic takes the best therapies from different treatment disciplines and gathers them into one multidisciplinary treatment program. We’re the most advanced concussion treatment clinic in Utah (except for Cognitive FX for post-concussion syndrome treatment).

A Guideline for Safe Return to Activity Following Concussion

Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University.

What Is a Concussion Protocol?

As a codification of how concussions are to be treated and managed, concussion protocols help doctors and caregivers establish a timeline for recovery. The idea is to make completely sure that the patient has completely healed from the brain injury and that it’s safe for them to return to their usual activities. This means establishing: 1

Evaluation and Diagnosis

Concussions can be challenging to diagnose, as symptoms can mimic those of other conditions or may be missed entirely. Diagnosis typically occurs in the emergency room setting or on the athletic field following the fall or head impact. This involves three basic steps: 3

What Are The Protocol Steps?

The CDC’s concussion protocol details a gradual timeline for return to normal activities, school, and athletics. Progress is monitored at every stage, with doctors clearing patients for more activity once they’re certain it’s safe. For athletes, it can be broken into six stages, following an initial rest period of 28 to 72 hours: 4

When To See a Doctor

If you have a concussion, you may not necessarily require emergency medical attention. That said, you do need emergency help if someone is unconscious for any period of time following a blow to the head. 2

FAQs

A concussion protocol is a set of guidelines for the medical management of concussion established by an organization such as the CDC or NFL. It lays out the tools and assessments needed for evaluation, as well as the benchmarks a patient must meet before it’s safe for them to resume full activity.

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

This is usually for 48 hours. This is because the symptoms of concussion could also be symptoms of a more serious condition, such as: subdural haematoma – bleeding between the skull and the brain. subarachnoid haemorrhage – bleeding on the surface of the brain.

What does it mean when you have a concussion?

is having a seizure or fit. has been vomiting since the injury. is bleeding from one or both ears. Causes of concussion. Concussion occurs when a blow or impact to the head causes a sudden disruption to part of the brain known as the reticular activating system (RAS).

How long after brain injury do you need to follow up?

When to seek follow-up advice. Sometimes the symptoms of a more serious brain injury do not occur for several hours, or possibly days, after the initial injury has taken place. This means it's important that you remain alert for signs and symptoms that could suggest a more serious injury has occurred.

What is the most common type of brain injury?

Concussion is the sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other injury to the head. It is the most common but least serious type of brain injury.

What is the term for a concussion that happens to boxers?

This type of dementia is known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, this seems to only be a significant risk for professional athletes who experience repeated episodes of severe concussion, such as boxers – CTE is sometime nicknamed "boxer's brain".

What is a period of confusion after a concussion?

periods of memory loss. disturbances in vision, such as "seeing stars" or blurry vision. a period of confusion, a blank expression, or a delay in answering questions immediately after the head injury. If a brain scan is carried out, concussion is only diagnosed if the scan is normal – for example, there is no bleeding or swelling of the brain.

What are the signs of a head injury?

You should visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if you or someone in your care has a head injury and develops the following signs and symptoms: loss of consciousness, however brief.

What are the best ways to prevent a concussion?

Once a person returns to sport and other activities, they should practice concussion prevention strategies. These may include wearing protective gear, such as helmets or mouth guards. However, there is a limited amount of evidence to prove that this gear is effective against concussion.

What is the first step for someone with a concussion?

The first step for someone with a concussion is to leave the area where the injury occurred. If the injury happened during sport, a coach should remove the person from the playing field.

How many people have headaches after a concussion?

Research suggests that 86–96% of people will develop a headache after getting a concussion. People may also experience dizziness, balance disturbances, and confusion. Anyone with the symptoms of a concussion must seek medical attention. The following table lists common signs and symptoms of a concussion:

How long after a sprain should you rest?

24–48 hours after the injury. The person should restrict cognitive and physical activity for 24–48 hours after the injury. Again, it is important that they are not alone during this time, as symptoms can appear days after the injury.

What is a concussion?

Complications. Recovery. Summary. A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury, is a type of brain injury that can occur due to a direct or indirect blow to the head. When a person receives a blow to the head or body, the impact shakes the brain and causes some internal damage.

Can a concussion cause a concussion?

Share on Pinterest. A direct or indirect blow to the head may cause a concussion. The time that it takes to recover from a concussion will vary depending on the severity of the injury and the health of the person, among other factors. People can follow the steps below to aid recovery.

Can you rest after a concussion?

to suggest that complete rest is the best option for concussion recovery . Due to this, doctors encourage people to return gradually to their usual activities, being careful to avoid any that make their symptoms worse. Once the symptoms start to resolve, a person may notice that they are able to do more.

5 Types of Headaches

There are five main types of headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and mixed headaches. Knowing what kind of headache you have is the first step in identifying how to get rid of a headache.

A Head Injury Can Be Difficult to Diagnose

Head injuries are routine, as are mild traumatic brain injuries. Concussions can be misdiagnosed, fairly easily, however. If someone exhibits the following symptoms, the patient should receive a CAT scan: headache vomiting older than age 60 years of age drug or alcohol intoxication amnesia visible trauma above the collarbone seizure

Where Do Tension Headaches Hurt

Tension headaches mainly hurt in the forehead, temples, or the back of head and/or neck. Tension headaches may cause a dull, aching pain on both sides of the head, or a “vice-like” tightening in the head and neck.

Why Do I Wake Up with a Headache Every Morning

Chronic headaches can be caused by overuse of alcohol, some OTC medications, caffeine, or dehydration. Less easy to fix are morning headaches caused by migraine disorders or sleep apnea, but they are still treatable.

CAM for Migraine and Cluster Headaches

Migraine headaches are intense, recurring headaches that are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Alternative therapies that have proven successful for some include: spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and homeopathy. It is important to do research on the practitioner and make sure alternative therapies don't do harm.

Cluster Headache FAQs

Cluster headaches are uncommon, but they come in groups and are characterized by intense pain, usually focused around one or both eyes. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but they can be treated with a variety of medications.

Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches are different that typical headaches or migraines in that they begin intensely and last from 5 minutes to an hour. They may come several times during the day, punctuated by painless periods.

How to get rid of a concussion?

For example, if bright lights are bothering you more than they have in the past, control that brightness by turning down the light, wear sunglasses or use a brimmed hat such as a baseball cap. Get some sleep. Our brain recovers during sleep. Sleep is even more important when recovering from a concussion. Dr.

What is a concussion?

But what exactly is a concussion? “It’s a short-lived functional brain injury typically caused by a bump or blow to the head,” explains concussion specialist, Richard Figler, MD. “A concussion sets off a chemical process in the brain as it’s trying to heal itself.

How long after a concussion can you feel like you are in fog?

Feeling “just not right” or in a “fog.”. Changes in sleep patterns. Because more concerning problems can arise in the first 24 to 48 hours after a head injury, anyone suspected of sustaining a concussion should be monitored for worsening symptoms.

How to recover from a heart attack?

Rest your body. While recovering, avoid doing anything that significantly increases your heart rate unless you’ve been cleared by a physician. Light activity, such as walking or riding a stationary bike, may actually help in your recovery, as long as it doesn’t worsen the symptoms. Be smart.

What happens when you hit your head?

There’s also usually a neck component when it comes to concussions. When you hit your head, the neck can take on some of that force as well.

Can you rest your brain after a concussion?

Over stimulating your brain after a head injury will not allow it to rest and recover. Using your brain to think hard, read, study or try to learn new material may be very difficult and may aggravate your condition. Processing new information can be harder for anyone who is concussed.

What Is A Concussion Protocol?

Evaluation and Diagnosis

What Are The Protocol Steps?

• CDC Guidelines
  The CDC’s concussion protocol details a gradual timeline for return to normal activities, school, and athletics. Progress is monitored at every stage, with doctors clearing patients for more activity once they’re certain it’s safe. For athletes, it can be broken into six stages, following an in…
• NFL Guidelines
  Due to high numbers of traumatic brain injury among active and retired professional football players, the NFL established a concussion protocol in 2009, and it’s since been updated several times.1Sports fans might know all too well that this is a serious injury, taking athletes away for s…

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When to See A Doctor

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