Medication
Reality: The recommended concussion treatment is a lot more active than it used to be — no more resting quietly in dark rooms. Doctors manage concussions with tailored treatments depending on the type of concussion (whether a person mostly has problems with dizziness, visual processing or memory, for example).
Therapy
Before returning to normal cognitive and physical activities, people with a recent concussion should speak to a doctor. 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.
Nutrition
After you remove a young athlete with a possible concussion from practice or play, the decision about return to practice or play is a medical decision that should be made by a health care provider. As a coach, recording the following information can help a health care provider in assessing the young athlete after the injury:
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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 is the recommended concussion treatment?
Should I talk to a doctor about a concussion?
Should I remove a young athlete with a concussion from practice?
How can Mayo Clinic help with concussion-related health concerns?
Who can determine a concussion?
Your doctor will evaluate your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a neurological examination. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may not appear until hours or days after the injury.
What doctors deal with concussions?
Acute Concussion CarePediatrician, General Physician, or Primary Care Provider. ... Sports Medicine Physician. ... Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Physician. ... Neurologist. ... Concussion Clinic. ... Emergency Room Doctor. ... Neuroradiologist. ... Neurosurgeon.More items...•
What is the protocol for people with concussions?
If a concussion is suspected, it's important to contact a trained healthcare provider immediately. It's recommended that individuals with a concussion have a 1-2 day period of rest followed by progressive increases in activity. This return to activity should always be monitored by a trained healthcare provider.
Do neurosurgeons treat concussions?
Further, neurosurgeons often manage patients with extracranial injuries that have concomitant concussions. In these cases, neurosurgeons are often the only “concussion experts” that patients encounter. Of note, much of the concussion data that are available are targeted to sports-related injuries.
Do neurologists treat concussions?
Neurology itself is the study of the whole nervous system, it's diseases, and how to treat them. Neurologists are an excellent choice for evidence-based, professionally integrated, medical care for a concussion.
Who is the best doctor for head injury?
If a head injury is serious, a specialist in neurotrauma will be called in to consult. For follow-up care and evaluation, patients may be seen by a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or neuropsychologist, depending on need.
How do you evaluate a concussion?
Your doctor may order imaging tests — such as MRI or CT scans — to make sure there's no bruising or bleeding in your brain. To confirm a concussion diagnosis, your doctor will use the data from your: Exam and interview. ImPACT or other cognitive tests.
How is concussion diagnosed?
Diagnostic Tests There is no single test used to diagnose a concussion. If your NYU Langone doctor suspects a concussion, he or she may perform a physical exam to check your strength, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Why is concussion protocol important?
If you sustain a head injury, a concussion protocol will help guide the response of your medical provider, sports coach, teacher, rehabilitation professionals, and the other people around you. A concussion protocol is a set of organizational policies that contain essential information to care for an injured individual.
What doctor specializes in skulls?
Craniofacial Surgeon: A plastic surgeon who specializes in repairing or reshaping the face and skull. Oncologist: A doctor specializing in the medical therapies of cancer.
Can a neurologist diagnose concussion?
Neurological exams – A neurological exam to help diagnose a concussion may include physical tests to make sure your brain is working as it should. Your doctor may test your strength, reflexes, coordination, balance, hearing, nerve function, ability to feel (sensation), and mental status.
Can an MRI show concussion?
Brain scans are usually not helpful for a concussion. An MRI creates clear images of brain tissue. But these scans cannot show if you have a concussion. A concussion is different from a fracture or bleeding. A concussion affects how your brain works, and most people recover within a few weeks.
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.
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 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 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.
Can social media cause a concussion?
Restriction from email and social media can lead to social isolation and worsening of concussion-like symptoms. Use of electronic devices and social media during concussion recovery may be practiced as long as they do not make symptoms significantly worse.
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 ...
Can you do pull ups with a doctor?
Exercises that require bearing down, such as situps, pushups, pullups and weight lifting, should be avoided at first unless directed by your doctor, as they typically worsen symptoms.
What to do if you have a concussion?
However, if you have witnessed or experienced head trauma, it is a good idea to assume a concussion has occurred. Immobilize the head while you wait for medical help.
How to tell if you have a concussion?
Symptoms of a Concussion 1 Blacking out, even if briefly 2 Seeing “stars” or lights in front of the eyes 3 Blurred or double vision 4 Nausea or vomiting 5 Seizures 6 Headaches 7 Light sensitivity 8 Lack of motor coordination or difficulty balancing 9 Tinnitus 10 Uneven pupil sizes 11 Unusually large pupils 12 Bleeding at the scalp 13 Bleeding under the scalp, creating a large lump under the skin
How long does a concussion last?
Many of the symptoms don’t occur until some time after the injury, and the effects may last for several weeks. However, there are a few signs to look for immediately after a head trauma that can let you know if a concussion is likely.
How to immobilize a person's head?
Immobilize the person’s head by holding it with both hands in the position you found her in , and do not move her unless it is absolutely necessary for her safety. Apply ice to reduce the swelling. Press an ice pack to the area of injury for approximately 20-30 minutes every two to four hours.
What to do if someone is unconscious?
Here are some steps to take if the victim is unconscious: First, check the scene to make sure it is safe. If the person is not conscious, check their airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC). Do not tilt their chin upward. If the person is not breathing, perform CPR while ensuring their head stays immobile.
What to do if you don't have ice?
If you don’t have ice, use something else cold such as a package of frozen vegetables. Don’t press hard, as this could push fragments of bone into the brain. Take over-the-counter pain meds. Headaches are a very common result of concussions. Tylenol is fine; avoid Aspirin or Ibuprofen, as these can increase bleeding.
What happens when you hit your head?
However, when the head suffers a violent hit, the brain can be knocked around inside the skull, sometimes causing bleeding or swelling in the worst cases. You might not be aware right away if you or a patient has had a concussion.
How to treat a concussion in a child?
If the concussion happens while playing sports, you should also: 1 Remove the child from play. 2 Keep the child out of play the day of the injury and until a medical provider, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says he or she is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.
What to do after removing a young athlete with a concussion?
After you remove a young athlete with a possible concussion from practice or play, the decision about return to practice or play is a medical decision that should be made by a health care provider. As a coach, recording the following information can help a health care provider in assessing the young athlete after the injury: ...
How to keep a young athlete from getting a concussion?
Seek Medical Attention. Keep a young athlete with a possible concussion out of play the same day of the injury and until cleared by a health care provider. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Only a health care provider should assess a young athlete for a possible concussion.
What tests are done to check for concussions?
Other tests such as “neuropsychological” or “neurocognitive” tests may also be performed. These tests help assess your child or teen’s learning and memory skills, the ability to pay attention or concentrate, and how quickly he or she can think and solve problems. These tests can help the child’s medical provider identify the effects of the concussion.
What is the purpose of a concussion test?
These tests help assess your child or teen’s learning and memory skills, the ability to pay attention or concentrate, and how quickly he or she can think and solve problems. These tests can help the child’s medical provider identify the effects of the concussion.
What to tell the medical provider about a child?
What to Tell the Medical Provider. Be sure to tell the medical provider if your child or teen is taking medications—prescription, over-the-counter medicines, or “natural remedies. ”. When possible, also write down and share the following information: Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body.
What to do if a child has a concussion while playing sports?
If the concussion happens while playing sports, you should also: Remove the child from play. Keep the child out of play the day of the injury and until a medical provider, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says he or she is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. Children or teens who return to play too soon—while ...
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.
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.
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:
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 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 kind of doctor treats concussions?
Pediatricians and primary care doctors are trained to manage concussions. But specialty concussion clinics are often helpful, especially if you experience a lot of dizziness after the injury (which can be a sign that recovery may be prolonged), or if symptoms last more than a week.
How long after a concussion should you see a doctor?
Reality: The best time to see your doctor is actually 48 to 72 hours after the concussion occurs. Before that, patients often experience so many concussion symptoms that it can be hard to spot patterns.
Can a concussion be diagnosed in the ER?
But while ER doctors can diagnose a concussion, the treatment they can provide in the hospital is very limited.
Can a CT scan diagnose a concussion?
Reality: CT scans can rule out structural problems such as skull fractures or bleeding in the brain. But scans can’t actually diagnose a concussion.
Is concussion treatment more active than it used to be?
Reality: The recommended concussion treatment is a lot more active than it used to be — no more resting quietly in dark rooms. Doctors manage concussions with tailored treatments depending on the type of concussion (whether a person mostly has problems with dizziness, visual processing or memory, for example).
