Head injury – an injury to your brain, skull, and scalp – is one of the most common causes of death and disability (both short-term and long-term) in adults. An injury to the head can be as mild as bumps or bruises and as severe as damage to the brain.
A concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury that results when your head and brain rapidly move back and forth due to a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. This can temporarily affect brain function and cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ear, blurry vision, and temporary loss of consciousness.
Let’s take a look at concussion treatment, what recovery is like after a concussion, and where you can go for the treatment of concussion in Delaware.
Treatment for Concussion
It’s a good idea to see a doctor for a thorough evaluation after a concussion, even if your injury doesn’t require emergency care.
The following are the steps that you can take to help your brain heal after a concussion.
Rest
Physical and mental rest is the best concussion treatment as it allows your brain to recover from injury. Relative rest is recommended for the first two days after the concussion and involves limiting activities that require mental concentration and thinking, such as doing homework, reading, playing video games, etc.
It’s also recommended to take a break from all physical activities that can worsen your symptoms.
Do not start your physical and mental activities immediately after rest; gradually increase daily activities as tolerated.
Symptomatic Therapy
Concussion symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting may require symptomatic therapy. For example, a headache from a concussion is treated with pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
It’s important to mention here that you must not take painkillers like ibuprofen for your concussion headache because it can increase the risk of bleeding.
What Recovery is Like After a Concussion?
Most of the time, recovery after a concussion takes about 7 to 10 days if you follow your doctor’s recommendations and get enough rest. Other times, recovery takes several months or even longer due to the development of post-concussion syndrome.
In post-concussion syndrome, you may experience headaches, poor memory, blurred vision, and other concussion symptoms. Aging, a history of concussion, and pre-existing neurological disorder are some factors that can interfere with your recovery from concussion.
If your concussion symptoms last longer than 7 to 10 days, you should check in with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend cognitive therapy and rehabilitative therapy.
Cognitive helps patients overcome cognitive difficulties and enhance cognitive skills that go into their daily functioning, while rehab therapy helps them return to normal life.
Concussion Treatment in Delaware
At Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers, our highly trained and skilled physiatrists, chiropractors, and psychologists will provide individualized treatment for your symptoms. Our providers also offer rehabilitation, and cognitive, and speech therapy to help you gradually return to your normal life.
For more information about concussions or to make an appointment with us, call our location nearest you or use our online appointment request form.