Best medications for a concussion
| Drug Name | Drug Class | Administration Route | Standard Dosage | Common Side Effects |
| Tylenol ( acetaminophen) | Analgesic | Oral | 2, 325 mg tablets every 4-6 hours | Nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite |
| Dramamine ( dimenhydrinate) | Antihistamine (vestibular suppressant) | Oral | 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours | Drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth |
| Transderm scop ( scopolamine transdermal ... | Anticholinergic (vestibular suppressant) | Transdermal | 1, 1 mg patch placed behind the ear for ... | Dry mouth, dizziness, sleepiness |
What is the best concussion treatment?
3 rows · Oct 05, 2020 · The gold standard treatment for a concussion is rest from both mental and physical activity. ...
What is the recovery time for a concussion?
Concussion Treatment and Recovery. Recovery from concussion is a complex and dynamic process. During recovery it is critical to identify the factors responsible for symptoms and to develop a treatment plan targeting them. If recovery is not properly managed it can lead to unnecessarily prolonged recovery. Management of recovery should be ...
What are home remedies for concussion?
Management of Concussion. 1. The treatment of choice is rest for the first 24-48 hours following the concussion, with limitations of both cognitive and physical exertion. After that time, gradual return to activities are encouraged as long as symptoms remain in the mild ranges 2. Protection from additional injury is another key aspect to management
How to recover from a concussion?
Oct 28, 2020 · A sport-related concussion (SRC) is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) sustained during sports, which is clinically diagnosed and associated with negative standard head imaging, when performed [].Nearly one in five male high school athletes sustain a concussion per year, with among the highest rates reported for those who participate in American football [].
How long does it usually take for a single concussion to fully heal?
Approximately 80 percent of concussions resolve over seven to 14 days, with an average of 10 days. People with concussions should never return to sports or other physical activity sooner than one week from sustaining the injury.
What is standard treatment for a concussion?
Rest is one of the most important treatments for a concussion because it helps the brain to heal. Rest nearly completely for the first few days after a head injury, then slowly begin to “exercise your brain.” The unused, “stagnant” brain remains stagnant if not used and lengthens recovery.Jun 2, 2020
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 most effective treatment for a concussion?
After the first 24 hours, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve) are generally more effective for pain relief, and are safe. In some patients, nausea and vomiting can be bothersome, and prescription medications can help. Restful sleep is important in all stages of recovery from concussion.
How long does a Grade 1 concussion last?
Types of Concussions 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 is a grade one concussion?
In a grade 1 concussion, you can experience a headache, difficulty focusing, memory loss, dizziness, and nausea. You can usually return to normal activities within a few days following a grade 1 concussion after the symptoms have fully passed.Feb 7, 2020
What are 2 preventative strategies for a concussion?
Prevention Tips Teach athletes proper techniques and ways to avoid hits to the head. Keep a close eye on athletes in positions that are at increased risk for concussion to help you spot a potential concussion. Enforce the rules of the sport for fair play, safety, and sportsmanship.Jul 6, 2021
How do you self diagnose a concussion?
You may have some symptoms of concussions immediately, and some can occur for days after the injury, such as: Concentration and memory complaints. Irritability and other personality changes. Sensitivity to light and noise....SymptomsHeadache.Ringing in the ears.Nausea.Vomiting.Fatigue or drowsiness.Blurry vision.Feb 17, 2022
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 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.
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 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 do headaches last after a concussion?
They can persist for several months after the injury. More than 50% of patients who have headaches after a concussion continue to have headaches up to a year later.
Does a concussion cause brain damage?
A concussion may or may not involve actual physical damage to the brain tissues . Instead, the injury involves physiological and biochemical disruptions in brain function. It produces all the classic symptoms of a concussion, such as a headache, disorientation, memory loss, and even loss of consciousness.
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Normal recovery for those younger than 18 is considered 30 days, and for those older than 18 is considered 14 days. A goal of recovery management it to avoid prolonged recovery, but 10-30% of those experiencing concussion can experience prolonged recovery. The dynamic nature of concussion recovery requires follow-up with tailored management ...
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Common treatable causes of concussion-like symptoms include; neck injury, dizziness, lightheadedness, vision problems, difficulty with sleep, and new or worsening mood symptoms.
How long after a concussion should you rest?
Persistent double vision or loss of vision. Increasingly restless, agitated, or combative. In the first one to two days after suffering a concussion, near complete rest is important.
What is the best pain reliever for a swollen ear?
During the first 24 hours acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain relief. After the first 24 hours, ibuprofen (Ad vil) and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve) are generally more effective for pain relief, and are safe.
How long does the red flag phase last?
Typically, this phase lasts less than three days. If you experience any of the following "Red Flag Symptoms during this phase," you should go to the emergency room:
Can headaches be rebounded?
Consistent, prolonged use of medications to treat headache may result in medication overuse or rebound headache. Medications for nausea may also be considered, if nausea is severe. During this phase nausea should significantly improve, and if it doesn't, alternative explanations for it should be sought.
What are some examples of cardiovascular exercise?
Examples of cardiovascular exercises that are started during this phase include use of a stationary bike or walking. Again, the specifics of the activity should be determined and guided by your doctor.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. Medically, it is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by immediate and transient alteration in brain function, including alteration of mental status or level of consciousness, that results from mechanical force or trauma.
What is required of student athletes for concussions?
Requires that student-athletes receive information about the signs and symptoms of concussions . They also are required to sign a waiver that says they are responsible for reporting injuries to the medical staff.
How does a concussion affect memory?
People with concussions often report a brief period of amnesia or forgetfulness, where they cannot remember what happened immediately before or after the injury. They may act confused, dazed or describe “seeing stars.”.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Following a concussion, some people may suffer persisting symptoms, such as memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and excessive drowsiness for several weeks to months. This is known as post-concussive syndrome.
Is a concussion considered a minor injury?
Neurosurgeons and other brain injury experts emphasize that although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion. In most cases, a single concussion should not cause permanent damage.
What happens to the brain after a concussion?
Brain swelling after a concussion has the potential to amplify the severity of the injury. A blow to the head can cause a more serious initial injury to the brain. A contusion is a bruise of the brain tissue involving bleeding and swelling in the brain. A skull fracture occurs when the bone of the skull breaks.
Can a brain scan show a concussion?
Brain imaging studies with MRI and CT scans should not be performed routinely in the diagnosis of concussions. They typically do not show any significant changes and, with CT scans, expose individuals to unnecessary radiation.
What are the best ways to prevent a concussion?
But there are several commonsense precautions you can take to lessen the possibility of traumatic brain injury. Wear protective equipment. Participation in high-contact, high-risk sports such as football , hockey, boxing , and rugby can increase the likelihood of a concussion.
How to recover from a concussion?
Most people with concussions fully recover with appropriate treatment . But because a concussion can be serious, safeguarding yourself is important. Here are a few steps to take: Seek medical attention. A health care professional can decide how serious the concussion is and whether you require treatment.
What is the most common type of traumatic brain injury?
What Is a Concussion ? The most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury is called a concussion. The word comes from the Latin concutere, which means "to shake violently.". A concussion is most often caused by a sudden direct blow or bump to the head.
How long does it take to see if you have a concussion?
Concussions can be tricky to diagnose. Though you may have a visible cut or bruise on your head, you can't see a concussion. Signs may not appear for days or weeks after the injury. Some symptoms last for just seconds; others may linger.
What happens if you have a concussion?
If you've had a concussion, vision may be disturbed, you may lose equilibrium, or you may fall unconscious. In short, the brain is confused. Some things increase your risk for a concussion, including: Falls, particularly in children and older adults. Playing a contact sport.
How long do concussion symptoms last?
Some symptoms last for just seconds; others may linger. Concussions are fairly common. Some estimates say a mild brain trauma is sustained every 21 seconds in the U.S. But it's important to recognize the signs of a concussion so you can take the proper steps to treat the injury.
What is the brain made of?
The brain is made of soft tissue. It's cushioned by spinal fluid and encased in the protective shell of the skull. When you have a blow or bump to your head, the impact can jolt your brain. Sometimes, it literally causes it to move around in your head.
Overview
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Risks
Epidemiology
- A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. It usually is caused by a blow to the head. In many cases, there are no external signs of head trauma. Many people assume that concussions involve a loss of consciousness, but that is not true. In many cases, a person with a concussion never loses consciousness. A hematoma is a bl…
Research
- Even mild concussions should not be taken lightly. Neurosurgeons and other brain-injury experts emphasize that although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a \"minor concussion.\" In most cases, a single concussion should not cause permanent damage. A second concussion soon after the first one does not have to be very strong for its effects to b…
Management
- According to the University of Pittsburgh's Brain Trauma Research Center, more than 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the U.S., and the likelihood of suffering a concussion while playing a contact sport is estimated to be as high as 19 percent per year of play. More than 62,000 concussions are sustained each year in high school contact sports and, among college f…
Diagnosis
- A study conducted by McGill University in Montreal found that 60 percent of college soccer players reported symptoms of a concussion at least once during the season. The study also revealed that concussion rates in soccer players were comparable to those in football. According to this study, athletes who suffered a concussion were four to six times more likely to suffer a s…
Symptoms
- During the 2014 World Cup, head injuries sustained by the participating soccer players reignited the debate over concussion management after one of Germanys players took a major hit to the head and continued to play, only to be helped away from the field shortly after. Major League Soccer created a concussion committee in 2010 and instituted a mandatory baseline neuropsyc…
Health
- Like concussions, mild injuries to the brain may not be observable in routine neurological examinations. Diagnostic tests typically will not show any changes. Therefore, diagnosis is based on the nature of the incident and the presence of specific symptoms, confusion being a primary one.
Mechanism
- The three principal features of confusion are: The following are concussion symptoms: The warning signs of a serious brain injury are the following:
Clinical significance
- If any of these occur after a blow to the head, a health-care professional should be consulted as soon as possible.
Treatment
- The skull protects the brain against penetrating trauma, but does not absorb all the impact of a violent force. The brain is cushioned inside the skull by the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid. Despite this, an abrupt blow to the head, or even a rapid deceleration, can cause the brain to contact the inner side of the skull. There is a potential for tearing of blood vessels, pulling of ner…
Scope
- Sometimes the blow can result in microscopic damage to the brain cells without obvious structural damage visible on a CT scan. In severe cases, the brain tissue can begin to swell. Since the brain cannot escape the rigid confines of the skull, severe swelling can compress the brain and its blood vessels, limiting the flow of blood. Without adequate blood flow, the brain does no…
Classification
- The first step is rest. During this time, in additional to avoiding physical exertion, the player is to avoid electronics, social media and even team meetings until his returns to his baseline level of signs and symptoms. The next step introduces light aerobic exercise, which takes place under the direct oversight of the teams medical staff. If aerobics are tolerated, the team physician will rein…
Side effects
- This protocol allows for players to heal at their own individual rates, includes the expertise of both the team physicians and a neurological consultant and specifically includes an assessment of not only the most recent concussion but also takes into account the medical history of the player.
Cause
- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2011-2012 Sports Medicine Handbook includes a section called \"Concussion or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in the Athlete,\" which notes, \"In the years 2004 to 2009, the rate of concussion during games per 1,000 athlete exposures for football was 3.1; for men's lacrosse, 2.6; for men's ice hockey, 2.4; for women's ic…
Safety
- People who suffer a head injury may suffer from side effects that persist for weeks or months. This is known as post-concussive syndrome. Symptoms include memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and excessive drowsiness. Patients with post-concussive syndrome should avoid activities that put t…
Popular culture
- Second-impact syndrome results from acute, often fatal brain swelling that occurs when a second concussion is sustained before complete recovery from a previous concussion. This is thought to cause vascular congestion and increased intracranial pressure, which can occur very rapidly and may be difficult or impossible to control. The risk of second-impact syndrome is higher in sport…
Philanthropy
- Buy and use helmets or protective head gear approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for specific sports 100 percent of the time. The ASTM has vigorous standards for testing helmets for many sports; helmets approved by the ASTM bear a sticker stating this. Helmets and head gear come in many sizes and styles for many sports, and must properly fit to …
Community
- Sports-related neurosurgical injuries were the focus of the November 2011 issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery). It included the results of a study of 451 patients about the mechanisms and consequences of head injuries that references an anonymous survey that found that more than 46 percent of university soccer players experienced a concussion in just one fall season, and almos…
Resources
- The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. NREF funds research into new and existing neurosurgical treatments, helping neurosurgeons save and improve lives every day.