Concussion, Sports Medicine, Self Care
When you experience injury, one fact is true. Your body needs time to heal.
But, when the injury is a concussion, walking, mental activity and auditory and visual stimulation may prolong the healing time or in some cases, cause more damage.
When a concussion occurs, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible and rest as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Under no circumstances should a person return to activity the same day he or she experienced the concussion.
How long does it take to heal from a concussion?
The answer to that question is as unique as the individual. Recovery from a concussion can take weeks, months and for some people, years. Supervised rest is the best treatment for mild concussions or “dings” to the head. Severe concussions require hospitalization and the care of a healthcare provider.
After a concussion, a person’s ability to recover will be affected by his or her ability to rest, both physically and cognitively. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other factors that may affect recovery time include:
While the symptoms of concussion resolve over time, it often takes much longer for people who have suffered a concussion to return to activity without triggering headaches, sleeping problems, mood swings or concentration and memory problems.
What should you do after a concussive injury?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Like other injuries in your body, your brain’s response to injury often includes swelling. Unlike other injuries, this swelling is encased within the skull, which compresses the brain cells and may cause serious consequences.
To minimize post-concussion risks, including permanent brain damage such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, people should take precautions avoid additional concussions while their brains heal. People need physical and mental rest to reduce swelling and promote healing.
Rest physically
Rest mentally
When can I return to activity after a concussion?
After your concussion symptoms disappear, your healthcare professional may allow you to go back to your activities. However, your provider may suggest you ease into work, school or physical activities with a five-step progressive plan as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As you return to normal activity, make sure your symptoms do not return. If they do, take time for added rest.
If you are able to return to work or school without a relapse of symptoms, you are ready to progress through the five-step plan and slowly return to your activities. At each step, you need to be assessed for concussion symptoms If your symptoms return, do not move onto the next step until you can do so without any adverse effects.
The goal is to move through the five steps safely—not quickly.
Step 1: Light activity
Step 2: Moderate activity
Step 3: Heavy, non-contact activity
Step 4: Practice
Step 5: Competition
Be aware. Take care. Prevent another concussion.
Repeated concussions can lead to long-term brain conditions that can affect memory, concentration, balance, and the ability to perform physical movements. Multiple concussions can also result in chronic headaches. Even mild concussions that occur repeatedly in a short period of time can have devastating results. They can cause cumulative neurological and cognitive impairments and sometimes death.
If you have experienced a concussion, it is important that you take the time to heal to avoid future health complications. Dr. James Messerly, provides concussion, orthopedic and sports medicine care to people of all ages. If you have questions about your concussion, Dr. Messerly can provide you with expert advice.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html
https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/a-parents-guide-to-concussion/
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