A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It can happen when your brain hits the inside of the skull due to a substantial direct or indirect force. A concussion can be mild or severe. Regardless of its severity, concussions require a reasonable recovery period and immediate medical attention.
Let’s talk about concussion symptoms, treatment options, how long a concussion lasts, and what you can do about it.
Symptoms of Concussion
Concussion symptoms vary according to the severity of your injury. Loss of consciousness doesn’t always occur with a concussion. Some common symptoms of concussion include:
- Headaches and fatigue
- Memory and concentration problems
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances and sleep disturbances
- Nausea
- Loss of balance
Treatment Of Concussion
When diagnosed with a concussion, your doctor will provide you with treatment according to your symptoms. Most common therapies of concussion include cognitive therapy, rehabilitation therapy, and symptomatic therapy. You may also get treatment for post-traumatic headaches. In case of serious injury to the brain, bleeding, or swelling, you may require emergency surgery.
Recovery from Concussion
Initial symptoms of a concussion do not last longer than a month. The majority of people recover from initial symptoms within 2 weeks to 1 month. Nearly 20% of people experience post-concussion syndrome, in which symptoms last longer than 6 weeks.
Recovery from a concussion is divided into two phases:
Acute Phase
The acute phase is the initial phase in which you experience concussion symptoms. During this phase, your brain requires mental and physical rest to recover. Most doctors will recommend a rest of 24-72 hours after a concussion. Because most daily activities demand focus, memory, and concentration, your doctor will recommend you cut back on all activities, including school, work, and sports. It’s better to not be involved in any physical activities, as well. During this phase, you should not take medicine without a doctor’s advice. You should also not be left unsupervised for 48 hours in case you lose consciousness or need emergency medical help.
Recovery Phase
During this phase, you can begin to start returning to your normal life. You will likely feel improvements such as headache relief, improved balance, and better cognitive function. To avoid overstress and reinjury, you should slowly and gradually move back to your activities. If you are an athlete, your doctor may advise you to rest for 7-10 days before returning to play.
Factors That Can Interfere with Concussion Recovery
Some factors can slow down your recovery from a concussion. These factors include:
- Pre-existing neurological disorder
- A history of concussions
- Aging
Tips for Recovery
Some tips can help you recover faster from a concussion. These tips include:
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat healthy diet
- Take time off from sports
- Reduce screen time
- Have patience
Concussion Treatment in Newark, Wilmington, Middletown, Smyrna, and Dover, DE
If you suffer from a concussion, visit us at Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers located in Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Smyrna, and Dover. Our experts will provide you an individualized treatment according to your symptoms. If your cognitive symptoms are not going away, our rehabilitation therapist will thoroughly assess you and offer cognitive and speech therapies to gradually return you to normal life.
For more information and to make an appointment, please call the location nearest you or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
