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Part of self-care is paying attention to your body when you’re not feeling well. It’s common for people to diagnose themselves or try to wait for symptoms to pass. what to do if you have a concussion?
However, not seeing a doctor after a head injury is a huge mistake. When it comes to physical accidents, there could be internal trauma that’s not easy to detect.
Understandably, not every illness or injury requires a trip to a physician, but you can never be too careful. At least 25% of concussion sufferers don’t seek medical attention when it’s needed.
As you can imagine, that could lead to serious issues then what to do after a concussion?
What to Do if You Have a Concussion?
If you’re unsure when to see a doctor for a concussion, here’s some helpful information.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head. The quick impact makes the brain shift around inside of the skull, which causes damage to the brain cells and chemical imbalances. Accidents such as car crashes, sports injuries, or falls are some of the primary reasons for a concussion.
This kind of head trauma is considered mild and isn’t life-threatening. However, the aftermath of what to do if you have a concussion could lead to severe issues, if you have a concussion
The Symptoms of Concussion Trauma
One of the most common indications of a concussion is a headache—that may not seem too severe, but it can’t be ignored. If your head pain is stronger than usual or lasts a long time, that could be a sign of a concussion.
Unfortunately, if the headache worsens over time, it could mean there’s bleeding within the skull of concussion.
Other symptoms might include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Loss of Concentration
- Depression
It’s important to note that symptoms could manifest within minutes after an injury or up to several hours. Also, your symptoms could change over several days due to added stress on the brain then what to do after a concussion.
When to See a Doctor For a Concussion
You might not know exactly when to see a doctor for a concussion, but there are some common symptoms of post-accident that require immediate attention.
Here are a few of them:
- Seizures
- Changes in Speech
- A Change in Pupil Size
- Repeated Vomiting
- Confusion
- Temporary Memory Loss
- Blurred Vision
You won’t know what to do if you have a concussion, so it’s best to get medical attention. When you visit the doctor, they’ll do tests on you to make sure you’re okay. Below are some the evaluations:
CT Scan
A CT scan is a digital x-ray that takes pictures of the brain. The images are generally used to verify if there’s bleeding or swelling inside of the skull.
Neurological Test
This test is a neurological exam that assesses sensory and motor skills, cranial nerves, hearing and speech, vision, balance, and mood.
MRI Scan
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and it captures pictures of the brain by using magnetic energy.
Physical Therapy for a Concussion
Believe it or not, visiting a doctor of physical therapy is one of the best options for recovering from head trauma because a concussion is a rehabilitative injury.
A physical therapist helped to treat back and neck pain as well as provide treatment for vision impairment. Here are the benefits of doing therapy after a concussion:
Neck Rehabilitation
A concussion not only affects the head but it also affects the neck. In order to guard the head, your neck will stiffen before or during the impact of a blow.
An intense jolt causes severe neck and shoulder pain after a head injury, and a physical therapist can enhance cervical and Thoracic spine mobility and decrease pain.
Vision Rehabilitation
Those who have suffered what to do if you have a concussion usually have vision impairment that’s not detected by a neurologist. However, vision therapy sessions help to improve eye ability through cognitive exercises.
Therapists will provide a visual of targets for the patient or do pencil push-ups to help readjust to the changes in a person’s vision.
Treadmill Test
A treadmill test is performed by physical therapists to help determine how much a patient can exercise without worsening their condition.
This program is usually individualized to accommodate each person’s symptoms, and it’s a great option for helping athletes bounce back quickly.
Balance Rehabilitation
Balance and dizziness therapy helps patients who continue to feel off-balance for days after their injury.
After an evaluation, the therapist puts together exercises to help the vestibular system get back to normal.
How long does it Take to recover From a Concussion?
Everyone has different recovery times, however, it generally takes 7 to 10 days to feel better. However, if you don’t rest during that time it could take longer to get back to normal in what to do if you have a concussion.
Not to mention, some people suffer from post-concussion syndrome which lasts several months after the injury. Unfortunately, during that timeframe, you could experience headaches and other concussion symptoms.
Do I have a Concussion? Recovery Made Easy
Hopefully, this information helps you to decide when to see which doctor do you chose. for a concussion. Although the condition is fairly mild, seeing a physician right away is the best option. There are several ways to recover from a concussion depending on the severity of your injury.
Plus, there are practical ways to bounce back from a concussion that doesn’t require physical therapy or a trip to the neurologist. After experiencing a head injury, it’s best to minimize screen time on your computer and TV to give your eyes a rest and reduce the risk of headaches.
What to Do After a Concussion?
Also, avoid unnecessary head and neck movement. Obviously, you have to use your head and neck, but it’s best to try to remain in the same place and not do too much physical activity.
Lastly, you should stay hydrated because dehydration impacts your overall health about what to do after a concussion.
Did you enjoy reading this information? If so, feel free to read more posts on our Medical section to learn more!
