Author: Erin Thomson
If you play sports or follow college or professional sports teams, you probably know that concussions are common and can be serious. , suffers from thousands of patients in contact sports such as football.
If you or your child is actively involved in sports, it’s important to know the signs of a concussion and when to seek medical help.
Symptoms vary from person to person based on the severity of the concussion and the part of the brain affected. Seek medical attention if you have headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, hearing or vision changes, neck pain, fatigue, insomnia, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or feeling like you are in a fog please receive after head injury.
“A concussion can be a very serious condition, depending on the severity of the injury.” It can lead to changes. These injuries can affect brain function.
Continuing to play with a concussion greatly increases the risk of further injury. The most serious risk is another brain injury called Second Impact Syndrome (SIS).
“SIS occurs when the brain swells after the initial injury,” says Dr. Tummala. “This happens when the brain has not fully healed after the initial injury and is thought to be caused by a sudden blow to the head. can also cause serious, permanent injury.”
If the athlete experiences more serious symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizure-like activity, recurrent nausea and vomiting, slurred speech, or if one pupil is larger than the other, contact the emergency department immediately. need to go to Signs of cerebral hemorrhage.
Another important factor to be aware of is that having one concussion makes you more likely to have another.
“People who have already had a concussion are more than twice as likely to have another,” says Dr. Tummala. “People who have had two concussions are 2 times more likely to have a second concussion than he is to 4 times more likely to have a second concussion. Nine times as many.”
Most people who have a concussion make a full recovery, but it may take some time depending on the severity of the initial injury. Recovery from concussion has his three stages, including the acute symptom phase, the convalescent phase, and his third convalescent phase.
“A key feature of Phase 1 is that it is when symptoms are most severe,” said Dr. Tummala. “Rest and avoidance of stimuli are important at this stage. After a day or two, you can start thinking activities that bring you back to the light, such as watching TV, listening to music, or taking a short walk. If so, you can use an NSAID such as Advil, Motrin, or Aleve.
“During the second phase of recovery, you can increase your activity and begin to engage in more focused thinking and physical activity. Nausea medications and medications may be required during this phase. It’s important to maintain supplies and be aware of conditions that can exacerbate recovery.”
To avoid concussion, athletes should always use properly fitting protective equipment, avoid blows to the head, and follow the safety rules of the sport.
People who have had a concussion can usually return to sports within two weeks, but it may take a month or more. Coaches, parents and athletes can visit his HEADS UP page at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for resources on how to keep your child and her teens healthy and safe while playing sports. I can do it.
For more information on McLaren Flint’s neuroscience services, click here. Click here for services offered at the Mclaren Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute.
