What if i think i have a concussion?

Have you ever played a rough game of football, only to get hit in the head so hard that your vision went blurry? Or perhaps you were rushing to make it on time for work and slipped on some ice, only to end up hitting your head against the pavement. Whatever the case may be, experiencing a concussion is no fun – but what should you do when you suspect that’s exactly what has happened?

Understanding Concussions

Before we delve into what steps should be taken following a suspected concussion incident, it’s important to understand exactly what constitutes as such. A concussion is formally defined as “a type of traumatic brain injury-or TBI-caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth.”

Fun Fact: Did you know that according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports released in 2015 have shown that there are an estimated $3 billion USD in yearly costs associated with TBIs?

While many think of concussions solely occurring during sporting events such as soccer games or boxing matches, they can happen anywhere at any time due not just from strikes directly atop one’s skull but also simple “whiplash effects” caused by sudden accelerations.

On top of physical impairments such as trouble maintaining balance and nausea/vomiting/speech difficulties/pupil dilation/etc., common symptoms include feeling dazed/disoriented/confused/asleep/depressed/agitated/irritated – living without these familiar tropes could mean life was like living inside Dr. Dre’s “White Clef Jean” masterpiece every day! Typically within minutes/hours/days post impact(or longer depending on severity), victims report these secondary effects worsening depending on how well they restrict activity/take sufficient periods of rest.

So now onto imminently applicable information: What do you need after having recently (within 1-2 weeks) experienced a concussion?

Seeking Medical Attention

If you’ve hit your head hard enough to even suspect that you may have a concussion, seeking medical attention is the first step. With concussions being classified as TBIs, it’s important to get an expert opinion on how severe the injury may be.

• Signs that warrant immediate medical attention include intense headache lasting several days after injury, unusual behavior/personality changes, numbness or weakness in limbs/facial features and persistent seizures
  Having at least one “red flag” amongst list of symptoms following impact increases probability there are more effects/disruptive after-effects over longer periods of time post-injury.

In descending order – many concussed individuals end up dealing with depression/anxiety/and other mental health symptoms months down the line as well physical ones(a prime instance when preventative care emphasizes importance).

Additionally: Family/Friends/Care-giving can assist recovering victims by reminding them prodigiously to refrain from activities(which would worsen recovery process), avoid highly stimulating environments(aw kanye), take sufficient rest breaks/downtime/etc. Hopefully things like multivitamins containing magnesium/vitamin C/Zinc(type II collagen manufacture affinity) & choline supplementation(beauty sleep readiness!) – will increase serotonin (positive mood) synthesis/output or bolster/enhance overall reparation activity for affected portions of brain tissue!

Resting Properly

Once diagnosed with having sustained a concussion(big shocker here), getting plenty of rest is crucial. Think two full-length seasons worths’!

For some folks accustomed to working harder than they play(reduce workload/sleep more!), taking extended leaves/off-time/&general relaxation could be temporary solution based solely off of common sense(seemingly obvious albeit occasionally overlooked).

However for all whose occupation involves prolonged sun exposure(workers in energy/agriculture industry/Olympic hotdog vendors), or whose added responsibilities through kinship(subtle starbucks vibe), it may be necessary to reduce to less stimulation inducing jobs/hobbies(tombochi ball and the like!) & taking more breaks/rest periods.

While some individuals may experience quicker recovery times than others(same goes for those with certain genetic promoters /high-grade variable tolerance thresholds)- generally, things like sleep hygiene(sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus recommends sleeping in quarter-hour intervals) constant self-checking emotional status(balancing oughta go against stressors!), and avoiding violent photonic/flashing auditory stimuli(people from both corners of Sesame Street could appreciate this one).

Avoiding Further Injury

It’s important for anyone who has experienced a concussion to avoid further injury as much as possible during the healing process. While wearing helmets/seat belts/etc is definitely an edge over their non-weldon’t brethren- there are other measures that can be taken based on lifestyle occupying circumstances such as (perhaps interacting with hotheaded professional athletes while trying to make McDonald’s breakfest order?) areas where risk-taking recreating/certain public settings(e.g not walking barefoot in restrooms/toilets).

Although many of us tend to procrastinate adherence towards adding healthier nutrients into our diets(piggybacking off Fun Fact: mentioned earlier – when reaching for “comfort” snacks like ice cream/junk food/others – we may very well end up compounding how long our brains take(did somebody say muffin top daydream wishing?)/how severe symptoms will become(notions relative typically)! Thus if you’re looking after someone recovering from TBI/concussive episodes(STORY_TIME): Time spacing out intake helps maintain even blood sugar levels throughout day(no grandiose amounts of caffeine etc.), supple ingredients filled w/omega-3 fatty acids(n.get.ammo.WHALE/intake!), ample protein ratios(x-ray crystallography loves data driven progress); all wo/gobs of sodium it helps promoting absorption! It’s really what we doin’ out here.

Additionally: Avoiding sports/hobbies/activities where re-injuring one’s head is likely to happen during recovery. Instead, finding hobbies that promote relaxation and healing such as cooking/coloring/drawing(KFC mashed potatoes coloring book anybody?) will be paramount for ensuring a person can fully recover their cognitive functions.

Conclusion

Concussions are serious injuries that should never be taken lightly. If you suspect that you may have sustained a concussion, seeking medical attention should always be the first step in the process with preventative measures like lifestyle constrictions/rest schedules and positive environments being vital longer-term. With proper care and management after an injury has occurred(breathing/exercise habits), individuals who experience concussions can bounce back effectively(like going from being Doug Funnie – before Patty Mayonnaise leaves him –to landing on John Lennon mixed up magnifico).

Dane Raynor

Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!