A concussion is a traumatic brain injury typically caused by a blow to the head. Concussions are incredibly common with there being around 3 million sports or recreation-related concussions reported each year. However, it is also found that about half of all concussions go undiagnosed or untreated. It is very important to get seen by a doctor if you believe you have suffered a hit to your head or believe you may have sustained a concussion to prevent any further damage from occurring. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries and need to be taken seriously and proper treatment is critical.
Concussions are most often caused by a blow to the head, but can also be caused by intense jolting or shaking of the head. Concussions are most often suffered while playing a sport, engaging in physical activity, or from a traffic accident, but you can get one at any point even from your everyday activities: all it takes is for there to be a mild trauma to the head. Here are some symptoms to look out for if you think you could have a concussion:
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Headache
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Confusion, memory loss, or feeling dazed
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Temporary loss of consciousness
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Dizziness
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Nausea or vomiting
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Ringing in the ears
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Fatigue
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Slow responses to questions
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Slurred speech
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Sensitivity to light or noise
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Trouble concentrating
Some symptoms occur immediately and others might not appear until hours or even days after the concussion is sustained. The severity of the symptoms can also depend on the severity of the concussion. Symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even longer if untreated.
Prevention:
Concussions are a traumatic injury and can have a tremendous impact on the well-being of your brain. Luckily, there are several preventative measures that can be taken to help lessen the risk of sustaining a concussion:
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Wear protective gear when playing sports or any recreational activity – All protective gear should fit properly, be worn correctly, and game rules should always be followed. Protective gear such as helmets are important to protect your head when playing sports and engaging in recreational activities.
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Wear your seat belt – You can prevent concussions resulting from traffic accidents by wearing your seat belt properly.
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Watch your children – Watch your children when they are playing outside or inside and look for potential hazards where they could hit their heads.
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Make your home safe – Make sure your home is well-lit and remove any obstacles or items that could cause you to trip and fall or anything that hangs too low.
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Exercise – Building up strength and improving balance can help lessen the risk of falling and hitting your head.
What to do if you have a Concussion:
If you feel as though you may have sustained a concussion or suffered a blow to your head, be sure to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Treatment is critical to help prevent permanent damage to the brain.
The physical therapists at Farmingdale Physical Therapy East can not only help you improve on your balance and help you build up strength to prevent the potential of sustaining a concussion, but also help you when it comes to treating your concussion. Physical therapy can be very effective when healing from a concussion, whether it’s mild or severe, by working to improve your symptoms and help you get back to where you were before sustaining a concussion. Contact us for more information on how we can help you.