Medical Treatment for a Concussion

A concussion is a type of brain injury that can cause temporary to long-term symptoms. Severe concussions can cause issues such as cognitive challenges and behavioral changes, while minor concussions can cause headaches, nausea and memory loss. It is critical to go to an emergency room after any bump or blow to the head to diagnose a concussion. Then, you can receive the medical care you need to try to minimize the effects the concussion might have on your life.

How a Doctor Diagnoses a Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, meaning it arises from an outside force striking the skull. An acquired brain injury, on the other hand, comes from internal problems, such as lack of blood or oxygen to the brain. The most causes of concussions are car crashes, slip/trip and falls, struck-by objects, sports impacts and acts of violence. You may have a concussion if anything struck your head in an accident and you notice possible symptoms.

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech

If you hit your head, go to the hospital for injury diagnosis. Do not assume you do not have a concussion just because you feel fine. Concussions may have delayed or masked symptoms, but may still appear on x-rays such as CT scans. A doctor may use a physical exam, x-rays and other tests to diagnose a brain injury. Then, the doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the severity of the concussion and the part of the brain impacted.

Treatments for Concussions

Doctors do not have a quick fix for traumatic brain injuries such as concussions. Instead, they rely in large part on the brain healing itself over time. As a patient with a concussion, the best thing you can do is create an environment for your brain that facilitates damage repair and healing. Your goal should be to reverse the chemical changes and damage to brain cells the concussion caused. Although each injury and patient is unique, physicians generally rely on a few different recommendations for treating concussions.

• Bed rest. A priority after someone suffers a concussion is to not worsen the injury with another blow to the head. A doctor will often prescribe bed rest to avoid added strain, stress or further injury. Sleep, rest and relaxation can help facilitate healing.
• No strenuous activities. If bed rest is not an option, you should at least avoid strenuous or potentially dangerous activities, such as sports, driving a motor vehicle, riding a bicycle or manual labor while in recovery from your concussion.
• Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can nourish the brain and help it heal by providing a good blood glucose level. You should also eat a balanced diet with proteins, healthy fats and carbohydrates while recovering from a concussion.
• Pain relievers. A doctor may prescribe a mild pain reliever, such as Tylenol, to help with symptoms of a concussion such as headaches, but no blood thinners such as ibuprofen, as they could cause further bleeding. A doctor may also recommend icing bumps to the head to decrease pain and swelling.

These treatments are generally enough to allow the brain to heal itself from a concussion. If you have a severe concussion, however, a doctor may also prescribe treatments such as surgery or medical procedures. It is important to go to the hospital, get an official diagnosis and receive a treatment plan from a doctor after a blow to the head. Your brain injury could be more serious than you think and require additional treatment besides bed rest and fluids. A doctor can help you treat your specific injury for the best possible recovery.