Medication
Concussion treatment focuses on making the person comfortable, alleviating headaches and getting plenty of physical and mental rest. Below are seven natural remedies for concussion treatment.
Therapy
Only a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) would require an intervention such as surgery. 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.
Nutrition
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 during each phase of concussion.
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Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your concussion-related health concerns Start Here There are steps you can take to help your brain heal and speed recovery. In the first few days after a concussion, relative rest is the most appropriate way to allow your brain to recover.
What are the treatments for concussion?
Can a concussion be treated without surgery?
What is the goal of recovery management after a concussion?
How can Mayo Clinic help with concussion-related health concerns?
What do doctors usually do for concussion?
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.
What's the best 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.
How do they treat a concussion at the hospital?
Depending on the severity of the injury and symptoms, initial treatment for a concussion often includes rest from both physical and mental activities — specifically, things that require concentration, such as: Reading. Watching TV. Using a smartphone or computer.
Do you need to see a doctor for a concussion?
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea. A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time.
How long does a concussion take to heal?
Concussion recovery and treatment. 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.
When do you need a CT scan for a concussion?
Despite its inability to diagnose concussions, doctors still use CT scans to diagnose severe conditions that may happen as a consequence of head trauma. Most emergency department doctors will recommend a CT scan for patients with: Loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes after the injury.
What happens if a concussion goes untreated?
A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
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.
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.
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.
Can you be alone while waiting for help?
While waiting for help, they should not be alone. Some sports coaches use diagnostic tools to assess a player before they go to the hospital. These include Sport (or Sideline) Concussion Assessment Tool 5 and the Child SCAT-5. However, there are no set criteria for a concussion diagnosis. During the first assessment.
Can you return to sports after a concussion?
Once the symptoms start to resolve, a person may notice that they are able to do more. However, they should only return to sports when they are completely symptom-free. Before returning to normal cognitive and physical activities, people with a recent concussion should speak to a doctor.
What to do if you have a symtom that is getting worse?
If your symptoms return or get worse, try a different activity, take a break, or try a milder version of the activity (e.g., walking instead of jogging, or reading a physical book instead of reading on a tablet). Sleep, drink water, and eat.
How to stop a symtom from symtoms?
Avoid caffeine. Sleep at least 8 to 10 hours in a 24 hour period. Have someone check on you to ensure your symptoms are not worsening. Avoid screen time on a computer, TV, smartphone, or tablet.
How long after a concussion can you play?
You should not drive, operate machinery, or be alone for 24 hours after a concussion.
How long does it take for a concussion to go away?
In many cases, all symptoms of a concussion are gone within a week to a month of the injury. If your symptoms are gone and your doctor has not instructed you otherwise, you may resume all of your normal activities except for sports and activities at high risk for falls or head injuries.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
drowsiness or feeling sluggish. dizziness. double vision or blurred vision. headache. nausea or vomiting. sensitivity to light or noise. balance problems. slowed reaction to stimuli. Concussion symptoms may appear immediately, or may develop in the hours and days following the injury.
How long after a concussion should you call a doctor?
A week after a concussion. If your symptoms have not improved within 7 to 10 days after your concussion, you should call a doctor for help. Call sooner if your symptoms are worsening or you’re concerned.
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Most people are able to fully recover from concussions, often within a month or less.
How to recover from a concussion?
Restful sleep is important in all stages of recovery from concussion. If getting to sleep or staying asleep is difficult, discuss this with your doctor for further recommendations. Sleep behavior techniques may be helpful as is the use of certain medications.
What is the recovery process of a concussion?
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 individualized and directed by ...
What is the goal of recovery management?
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 during each phase of concussion. Key milestones in the recovery process are return to learn, school, work, exercise, ...
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.
Can you exercise during a concussion recovery?
New studies, including one performed at Michigan NeuroSport, suggest that limited exercise during the recovery phase allows for quicker recovery from concussion. Return to physical activity and exercise should be gradual and determined by your doctor. Examples of cardiovascular exercises that are started during this phase include use ...
Is it safe to take naproxen after 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.
What to do if you have a concussion and you have a headache?
a serious injury to the brain. However, most concussions don’t require surgery or any major medical treatment. If the concussion is causing headaches, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
When to see a doctor for a concussion?
Emergency symptoms: When to see a doctor. See a doctor if you suspect that you or someone else has a concussion. If a concussion occurs during sports practice or a game, tell the athletic coach and go to a doctor. Concussions may be accompanied by injuries to the spine.
How long does a concussion last?
post-concussion syndrome, which causes you to experience concussion symptoms for weeks (or even months) instead of just a few days. post-traumatic headaches, which may last for a few months. post-traumatic vertigo, or dizziness that lasts for up to several months. brain injuries from multiple TBIs.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can occur after an impact to your head or after a whiplash-type injury that causes your head and brain to shake quickly back and forth. A concussion results in an altered mental state that may include becoming unconscious. Anyone can become injured during a fall, car accident, ...
How to diagnose a concussion?
Your doctor might then perform a physical examination to determine what symptoms you have. In the case of serious symptoms, your doctor may request an MRI scan or a CT scan ...
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
headache. nausea or vomiting. sensitivity to light or noise. balance problems. slowed reaction to stimuli. The symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following your injury. During the recovery period after a concussion, you may experience the following symptoms: irritability.
How to tell if someone has a concussion?
The following are some of the signs to look out for: irritability. balance issues . loss of coordination. problems walking. seizures. draining of blood or clear fluid from the ears or nose.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Is rest necessary after a concussion?
As mentioned above, in the immediate days following a brain injury, rest is an imperative part of concussion treatment , and following doctor’s orders is recommended. However, a new study shows that there may be a benefit to adding light activity sooner than originally believed, particularly for children and adolescents.
Can you play video games with a concussion?
For that reason, reading, playing video games, using the computer or another device should be avoided until all concussion symptoms are gone.
