Concussion management can help those who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries and concussion live their fullest healthy lifestyle after the injury.
What exactly is a concussion, though?
A bump, violent jolt, or blow to the head can cause a person to suffer from traumatic brain injuries known as a concussion. This injury disrupts the normal function of the brain. In addition, a concussion can be the result of a blow to the body that is serious enough to warrant your head to snap abruptly in any one of three directions: backwards, forwards, or to the side.
A concussion causes nerves and capillaries to stretch and bruise, and it also causes chemical chemical changes in the brain, all of which contribute to a momentary disruption in normal brain function. In most cases, a single concussion will not result in permanent damage to the victim's brain and can be treated successfully at https://mccallumphysio.ca/. Multiple head injuries sustained over the course of a lifetime may cause permanent structural alterations in the brain.
In most cases, concussions do not pose a threat to a person's life. On the other hand, the effects of a head trauma can be severe and continue to manifest themselves for days, weeks, or even for a longer period of time.
Is passing out a prerequisite for having a concussion, or can you get one without it?
A loss of consciousness (Concussion - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic) is not necessary in order to diagnose or treat a concussion. In point of fact, the majority of people who sustain a concussion do not ever pass out.
Is it possible to sustain head trauma from a blow to the jaw or the chin?
Yes, sure. While the jaw or jaw line can absorb most of the force of the blow, it is still possible to sustain a concussion if you are struck in the appropriate location.
What exactly sets a concussion apart from a brain trauma (TBI)?
In all honesty, there is no distinction. Both of these conditions are classified as injuries also to the brain. These two terms are practically interchangeable.
Who is at the greatest danger of suffering a concussion?
People who are more likely to sustain a concussion include:
older adults and children younger than 4 years old because of the increased likelihood that they will fall.
adolescents as a result of head injuries sustained from sports and bicycle accidents.
Military personnel result from exposure to incendiary materials.
Whoever was in the car when a vehicular accident occurred.
victims of abuse at the hands of another.
Anyone who has suffered a concussion in the past is at risk.
When compared to people of other age groups, adolescents have the highest risk of sustaining a concussion (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html). Researchers speculate that this is due to the fact that their frontal lobes are still maturing. At this stage in life, the brain is still in the process of putting its neural pathways, and adolescents typically have weaker necks than young adults and teens do at this age.
How is a head injury like a concussion treated?
In order to heal from a concussion, you need to get plenty of rest, both physically and mentally. Although you will require a greater amount of extra sleep than usual, you will not necessarily require complete and total rest. In fact, studies have shown that getting an excessive amount of mental rest could really actually make the recovery period last longer and make individuals more sensitive to tasks when you come back to them after being away from them.
Learn to identify the factors that can bring on symptoms of a concussion so that you don't have to completely stop the activities you enjoy. Begin the process of getting back slowly and in small amounts. When symptoms appear, it is important to slow down and rest. It is acceptable to participate in a few of the activities so long as they do not cause your condition to become worse. Reduce or avoid any activities that make your symptoms worse.
For instance, the following are some examples of activities that might bring on symptoms:
Texting and spending a lot of time looking at the screen
Watching television.
Participating in video game play.
Hearing music at a high volume.
Getting involved in any kind of physical activity.
As your symptoms begin to improve, you will be able to gradually incorporate more of your normal activities into your day.
To treat the headache that comes with a concussion, is it possible to take pain medication?
It is not recommended to take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDS) like naproxen (Aleve®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) in the first few hours or days after an alleged concussion has been sustained. Click here for more information on NSAIDS. These medications dull the pain and make the blood thinner, both of which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding.
Because it is not unusual for elderly people to be taking these medications already, this is a particular cause for concern in cases in which an elderly person has fallen and hit their head. If treatment is required after a concussion has been diagnosed, acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol®) is the more prudent choice. Close attention must be paid to the patient's symptoms.
To what extent does one's diet impact one's ability to recover from a concussion?
The medical literature contains very little information about the relationship between concussions and diet. There is some information available on the nutrition, general brain health, and overall well-being of elderly people. Fish oils, turmeric, extracts of green tea, and resveratrol are some of the dietary supplements that have received the most attention from researchers. A healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in fruit and veggies and low in foods high in saturated fat as well as processed foods should be followed in addition to the use of any supplements.
When a person sustains a concussion, how long does it take for them to fully recover?
Each person's experience of a concussion is somewhat unique, and so is the length of time it takes for them to recover. However, in most cases, symptoms of a concussion will go away between 14 and 21 days after the injury. However, a concussion that is misdiagnosed, unrecognized, or improperly treated can delay your recovery, extending the time it takes to get back to normal from the standard 14 days to months and even longer.
If you have been given a diagnosis with concussion and the symptoms of a concussion are still observable after a period of 14 days or if your symptoms get worse, you should consult a medical provider who specializes in the management of concussions.