Medication
What is the best home remedy for a concussion?
- Rest. After a concussion, the best treatment is physical and mental rest for one or two days. ...
- Exercise. However, you should plan to introduce basic physical exercise (such as walking) one or two days after the concussion.
- Gradually return to normal activities. ...
- Maintain good sleep hygiene. ...
- Avoid activities that may move the head suddenly. ...
Therapy
Treating a Mild Concussion at Home
- Rest. Treating a mild concussion requires both physical and mental rest. ...
- Get plenty of sleep. In addition to resting while awake, a person with a concussion needs to get plenty of sleep at night. ...
- Avoid mind-altering substances. ...
- Take pain reliever. ...
- Use an ice pack. ...
- Stay with someone for 48 hours. ...
Nutrition
What to do for a concussion
- Immediately after the injury. The first step for someone with a concussion is to leave the area where the injury occurred. ...
- 24–48 hours after the injury. The person should restrict cognitive and physical activity for 24–48 hours after the injury. ...
- A week after the injury. ...
- Long-term prevention. ...
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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 ...
What is the standard treatment for a concussion?
What is home remedy for concussion?
What to do after experiencing a concussion?
What are the stages of concussion recovery?
What is the treatment for concussion syndrome?
There is no specific treatment for persistent post-concussive symptoms. Your doctor will treat the individual symptoms you're experiencing. The types of symptoms and their frequency are different for everyone.
What is the best medication for concussion?
These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve). During the first 24 hours acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain relief. After the first 24 hours, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve) are generally more effective for pain relief, and are safe.
What can a neurologist do for post-concussion syndrome?
A neurologist can prescribe medication to manage neurological conditions such as pain, nerve issues, and neuromuscular disorders, including migraines and persistent headaches. Medication is a mixed bag: For some conditions, like post-traumatic migraines, it can significantly increase quality-of-life.
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...
Who can help with concussions?
If a concussion is suspected, you may be referred to other doctors and healthcare providers who specialize in the evaluation and management of concussions. These clinicians include: Neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists. Sports medicine specialists , exercise medicine physicians, athletic trainers .
How long does it take for a concussion to go away?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, violent jolt or blow to your head. Anyone from infants to the elderly can get a concussion. Headache is the most common symptom. Most symptoms resolve within 14 to 21 days. Although recovery plans are unique to each person, all involve mental and physical rest and a gradual return to activity.
How many times more likely is a concussion to happen?
Once you’ve had a concussion, you are three to five times more likely to have another concussion. The highest risk is for those who return to competition before their symptoms have completely gone away. No one should return to active play if they are still having symptoms from a concussion.
What causes a concussion?
These injuries cause your brain not to function normally for a brief period of time and result in the signs and symptoms of concussion. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries are common causes of concussions. Any sport that involves contact can result in a concussion.
Can you see a concussion on an imaging test?
This is because most of the effects of a concussion aren’t seen on imaging. However, these imaging tests might be ordered if more serious effects of a concussion are suspected – like bleeding inside the skull, brain swelling or spinal cord or cervical spine injury – or if symptoms are worsening.
Can you get another concussion?
However, even having a mild concussion puts you at an increased risk of another concussion. In addition, if you were to experience another concussion before your concussion symptoms have fully gone away, you could be at greater risk of permanent damage or even death if you have another concussion.
Can a concussion happen on the opposite side of the brain?
The force of a hit can cause a concussion on the part of the brain that was directly hit or on the opposite side of the brain (as the brain tissue itself moves from the force of the blow and hits the opposite side of the skull). Different areas of the brain control different functions, so blows to your head can predict your symptoms.
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.
What is the best treatment for post-concussion syndrome?
A specialist such as a neurologist and/or psychiatrist may also be involved to treat mental health symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome. Antidepressants and psychotherapy may be recommended.
How long does it take for a concussion to heal?
For some patients, the best post-concussion treatment is education, as patients may experience anxiety about their long-term health. Patients need to be reassured that symptoms are often worse in the first week or two after the injury, but typically improve over a few weeks and resolve within a few months.
What is the term for a head injury that persists for a period of time after a head injury has
Post- concussion syndrome is a condition that is typically associated with a head injury. The head injury may be categorized as a concussion or a mild traumatic brain injury. In general terms, post- concussion syndrome , or PCS, is a medical problem that persists for a period of time after a head injury has occurred.
What is the diagnosis of a head injury?
Diagnosis is mainly based on a history of head injury and reported symptoms. A physical exam, and perhaps a CT or MRI scan of the head, may be done to evaluate symptoms. Other tests may be given to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as infection, bleeding injury to the brain, or poisoning.
Is there a definitive test for post-concussion syndrome?
Since symptoms can be vague and attributable to other reasons, it can be difficult to diagnose post-concussion syndrome. There is no definitive test for post-concussion syndrome. Diagnosis is mainly based on a history of head injury and reported symptoms.
Is post concussion worse than previous concussions?
In general, post-concussion syndrome follows the occurrence of an injury or trauma to the head. Not all people who suffer mild traumatic head injury experience post-concussion syndrome. This syndrome may be worse in people who have had previous concussions or head trauma. It may also be more severe in those who have early symptoms ...
1. The 2-Point Rule for Concussion Symptoms
Recovery from a concussion is centered on gradually increasing the stimulation you are exposed to, without over-stimulating yourself. This is a tricky balance to achieve and usually requires advice from a concussion therapist. However, generally speaking, when introducing an activity back into your daily routine, many use the 2-Point Rule.
2. Screen Time (phones, TVs, computers)
Computer, smartphone and television screens can be one of the most aggravating types of stimulation when we are recovering from PCS. It’s easy to overexpose our eyes (and brains) to the strain that screens cause and move backwards with our recovery. Here are some tips to help manage screen time properly:
3. Exercise during Concussion Recovery
Generally speaking, exercising can be very beneficial for recovery from post concussion syndrome. Heart rate elevating exercise increases the blood flow to your brain, which speeds up the healing process.
4. Post Concussion Sleep Hygiene
Much of our recovery happens while we are sleeping. Particularly during Stage 4 sleep when breathing deepens, heartbeat slows, and brain wave activity is at its lowest. Sleep releases important hormones and allows cell repair to accelerate.
5. Brain Breaks
Properly utilizing brain breaks is the most important factor in a successful return to normal activities such as school, work and play.
7. Concussion Diet Advice
Poor nutrition can have a negative effect on post concussion syndrome. What you eat and drink has direct changes to blood flow and composition, to hormone release and balance, to proper cellular activity, and ultimately to brain functioning. Here are some tips to consider:
8. Return to School and Work
For those with post concussion syndrome, getting back to school or your job, is typically your primary goal. Here are some things that can make the transition easier:
What to do if you suspect a concussion?
If you sustain or suspect a concussion, you might go to see your family physician or a concussion expert. He or she could conceivably provide or order any of the tests mentioned above or some of the following. Again, this isn’t everything.
What are some examples of cognitive therapy?
Cognitive therapy with a Speech Therapist (as a result of findings from baseline and neuropsychology tests) Counseling to assist with emotional factors such as depression, sadness, and frustration. Vestibular physical therapy to assist with balance and dizziness issues.