Thanks to the controversy swirling around the National Football League and its players, the subject of concussions has gotten a lot of attention lately. A concussion is a traumatic head injury that affects your brain function and the more you know about it, the better you can protect yourself or deal with the condition if it ever happens to you or someone you care about.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head, often while participating in a contact sport or when involved in an accident. However, they can also be the result of your head and upper body being shaken violently. Some concussions are so traumatic that they cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not. In fact, it’s possible to sustain a concussion without even realizing it.
The symptoms of a concussion may not be apparent immediately, yet they can last for days, weeks or longer. These include:
- A headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
- A temporary loss of consciousness
- Being confused, dazed, disoriented
- Having no memory of the traumatic event
- Dizziness
- A ringing in the ears
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech
- A delayed response to questions
And that’s just in the short term. Lingering effects of a concussion may include:
- Fatigue
- A lack of concentration
- Faulty memory
- Irritability or change in personality
- A sensitivity to light and noise
- Disturbed sleep
- Disorders of taste and smell
If you experience a head injury, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, even if emergency care wasn’t required when the injury occurred. Don’t shake it off, seek emergency care immediately if the injury results in seizures, repeated vomiting, a loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds, a headache that worsens over time, or any of the symptoms mentioned above.
The reason for this sense of urgency is that a concussion could lead to bleeding in or around your brain, which could prove fatal if not monitored and treated promptly.
Potential complications from a concussion include post-traumatic headaches and vertigo, post-concussion syndrome in the form of dizziness and cognitive difficulties, and the cumulative effects of multiple brain injuries (like those experienced by boxers and other athletes) with a greater risk of developing lasting, if not progressive, an impairment that limits function.
Here are several suggestions to help prevent or minimize your risk of sustaining a traumatic head injury:
- Wear protective gear during sports and other recreational activities.
- Always buckle your seat belt when driving or riding in a car.
- Make sure your home is well-lit and your floors are free of anything that might cause you to trip or fall.
- Protect your children by installing window guards and blocking off stairways. block off stairways and install window guards.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your leg muscles. This will improve your balance and help prevent had-injuring falls.
- Avoid contacts sports, especially for young children. And just because a sport is not labeled “contact” doesn’t mean there is no contact involved. Sports like cheerleading, wrestling, and soccer encourage kids to take risks that could result in concussive injuries.
Concussion Treatment
There is no “cure” for concussions. And the last thing you can do is “shake it off” after getting your bell rung. If you are engaged in the activity that left you concussed, modify your activity, wear protective headgear if you are not already, and avoid that activity in its entirety if the risk for continual concussions is too great. If you have been diagnosed with a concussion, rest and anti-inflammatory medications are best. Avoid too much stimulation such as video games, computers, texting, or long, loud conversations. In other words, give your brain a rest. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor or go to an urgent care facility immediately. In fact, many urgent care facilities are becoming concussion care centers due to the increased awareness of concussions amongst youth and adults.
At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we believe that an informed patient is the best patient. We practice comprehensive, patient-centered care designed to help you achieve the best possible outcomes. If you’re experience a head injury or have neck, back or leg pain, call us today at (303) 790-1800 phone or use our online form to request an appointment.
