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NOVEMBER 21, 2019
CONCUSSION - THE INVISIBLE INJURY
Have you or a loved-one ever suffered from a head injury? Have you felt dizzy, nauseous, foggy, or experienced headaches following a head injury? Then you’ve likely suffered from a concussion.
Did you know that the symptoms you could experience after a concussion can be treated? Without treatment or medical guidance the symptoms may take longer to resolve
What is a concussion?
A concussion is defined as a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect force on the head/brain. This means that they often occur after a direct hit to the head or a force on the body that causes the head/neck to move rapidly, such as during a motor vehicle accident or being hit in a contact sport.
What happens to the brain during a concussion?
When you hit your head or you head is hit, it causes the brain to move and twist which changes how the brain works. This is why you feel different, foggy or confused. Because the brain has been injured it will not function like it normally would. This means that the energy and blood flow required to help the brain heal may be reduced, prolonging recovery.
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
Symptoms can vary depending on the person, some people may experience one symptom where some may experience multiple. Here is a list of the most common symptoms.
⦁ Loss of consciousness at the time of the injury
⦁ Headaches
⦁ Dizziness or fogginess
⦁ Nausea
⦁ Vision disturbances and light sensitivity
⦁ Difficulty concentrating, decreased reaction time
⦁ Changes in personality/irritability
⦁ Sleep disturbances
Why are concussions more dangerous for kids?
Concussions are more dangerous for kids because they are still growing and maturing. They tend to have weaker muscles around their necks and shoulders and have less padding around their brain than adults.
So what can you do if you have a concussion?
The answer is easy!
Visit a physiotherapist and they can complete a full assessment to determine which symptoms you are experiencing and which systems in your body are affected by your injury.
At this point you might be wondering what treatment looks like for your concussion. In the beginning, treatment is centered around treating the symptoms so you can complete a smooth transition back to work, school or sport. Unfortunately, there are some cases where the symptoms last over 4 weeks. This is when we consider it “Post concussion syndrome”. Treatment in this case is tailored to the specific symptoms you may still be experiencing such as:
⦁ Neck rehabilitation
⦁ Vestibular rehabilitation (for dizziness)
⦁ Vision rehabilitation
⦁ Habituation (learning to tolerate certain stimuli)
⦁ Return to sport, school, and or work
Concussions have been thrown into the limelight recently with all the media coverage of athlete injuries. It is important to realize the severity of this injury and how complex the road to recovery can be. It is the type of injury that is best to be cautious and seek medical attention if you have had a head injury. If you have any questions about concussions or concussion rehabilitation feel free to reach out to us to find out more.
R2P Acute Management of Sport related concussion
R2P Management of Post-concussion syndrome
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