What is a concussion?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a concussion can result from a hit or jolt to the head. Concussions can also be caused by injuries to other body parts that transmit force to the head. The brain may not function normally as a result of the injury. Concussion symptoms might persist for months or more, or they can go away in less than a day.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

These are signs of a possible concussion:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cannot think clearly
• Memory loss
• Difficulty walking
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Vision change
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Mood, personality, or behavior changes
• Sleep disturbances or drowsiness

These can start at once or worsen over minutes or hours after a head injury. Symptoms may even be stable or become better within several minutes, hours, or even days.

What causes a concussion?

Falls, car crashes, assaults, and sports injuries are the main causes of concussions that need immediate medical attention. Concussions are most common in children, young people, active military members, and older people, and their recovery times may be prolonged. Concussions are more likely to recur in people who have previously had them.

What are the risk factors?

Anyone can get a concussion. Those who are at a higher risk of concussion include:

• Older than 65 years or younger than 4 years (or anyone with a higher risk of falling).
• Those with physically demanding jobs such as carpentry, landscaping, or construction.
• Teenagers and adolescents.
• Athletes in contact sports or physically demanding sports.
• Anyone who has had a concussion before.
• Teens are more prone to suffering from concussions than any other age group. Scientists think that it happens due to their underdevelopment; hence, the control of their coordination is not proper at all times.

What are the complications of a concussion?

Concussions, especially repeated concussions, may cause serious complications.

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) results when recovery from the concussion is abnormally long. You can find that your symptoms last far longer than typical, four months, a year or even longer following the initial injury.

Other complications are unusual but might include:

• Bleeding inside your skull or brain (intracranial haemorrhage).
• Swelling in your brain (cerebral edema).
• Midline shift, meaning your brain has moved off-centre inside your skull.
• Skull fractures.

People who have had one concussion are at a higher risk for another, more severe concussion if they return to physical activities or sports too soon. Doctors call this second-impact syndrome (SIS). SIS increases your risk of severe complications like brain swelling and bleeding. SIS can be fatal.

Having multiple concussions and other head injuries increases your risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. CTE affects how areas of your brain function, communicate and work with each other.

Recurring concussions may also increase your risk for other health conditions, including:

• Depression or other mental health conditions.
• Dementia.
• Memory loss.

How is a concussion diagnosed?

To diagnose concussion, your doctor will likely ask you a series of questions. If you lost consciousness, make sure to mention it along with any further symptoms. Additionally, the medical expert will ask to know how you were hurt and where you hit your head.

You may also be asked questions designed to test your memory and for certain tasks intended to show how well your brain can work. Friends or family might be asked to provide information concerning your symptoms and the injury.

You may also require imaging studies of your brain, such as a CT scan or MRI. Specific tests known as neuropsychological tests indicate damage to memory and other areas of the brain.

How is a concussion treated?

Getting enough sleep, including naps or rest periods during the day if necessary, is a crucial component of concussion therapy. During your recuperation, your doctor may probably advise you to avoid participating in specific sports and physical activities. If you have a headache, they might suggest taking medication. Preventing more head damage is crucial, particularly while you're recovering.

You should contact a medical professional who specialises in concussions if your symptoms worsen or don't go away in a few days. For lingering symptoms like headaches, lightheadedness, or balance issues, you could require medication, physical therapy, or other therapies.

How can you prevent concussions?

Concussions are injuries that happen suddenly. Because you can’t plan for them, you may not always be able to prevent one. These general safety tips may reduce your risk:

• For all sports and activities, use the appropriate protective gear, particularly helmets or other headgear.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Make sure there is nothing that could trip you or others in your house or place of work.
• Always reach for objects at home with the appropriate tools or equipment. Avoid standing on tables, chairs, or countertops.

How long does a concussion last?

Concussions usually last a few weeks, up to a month. But everyone’s bodies respond to concussions differently. Some people naturally heal faster, and others take more time. This usually doesn’t mean you’re more or less likely to experience complications.

The time your brain will take to heal will depend on the following factors:

• The cause of the concussion.
• Whether you sustained other injuries.
• If you develop complications.
• How severe your symptoms are.

Talk to your provider before resuming your usual daily routine. Don't return to exercise, training, or playing sports until your provider says it's safe. Giving your body the time it needs to heal doesn't mean you're weak. Rushing your recovery to get back to practice, games, or training doesn't mean you're extra tough. Your brain will heal at its own pace, and the only thing you can do to help it along is rest.

When should you go to the emergency room for a concussion?

Go to the emergency room if you have a head injury and have any concussion symptoms, even if they don't start for hours or days.

Go to the ER or your local emergency services number right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A severe headache that keeps getting worse.
• Seizures.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Serious dizziness, loss of balance, or problems walking.
• Vomiting more than once.
• Serious confusion, including loss of ability to recognise people or places.
• Runny, watery discharge from your nose or ears
• Bleeding from your ears
• Numbness, weakness, or tingling in your arms or legs.
• Speech is slurred.
• One pupil is much larger than the other (anisocoria).
• All these can be indications of a dangerous condition such as bleeding in the brain.

Which of the following would you like to ask your doctor?

You might want to ask your provider:

• What tests will I need?
• What is my risk of complications?
• What symptoms should I watch out for?
• How long do I need to rest?
• What are safe things I can do while I recover?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for concussion?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country, with the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in concussion. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To Book an appointment for concussion

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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