A concussion injury occurs when a person’s brain moves rapidly in the skull, which causes pressure on the thinking part of the brain. This type of brain injury can result from a forceful blow to the head, such as a tackle or being hit by an object. Concussions are most likely to occur in contact sports like Australian rules football.
Concussion symptoms can be physical, psychological, or both. Physical signs of concussion include headaches and dizziness, while psychological effects include confusion and difficulty thinking straight. Serious concussions may cause unconsciousness and loss of memory. Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
What is a Concussion Injury?
Concussion injuries occur when force is applied to the head without causing a skull fracture. There are different grades of concussion injury:
1) Concussion with loss of consciousness: The individual is knocked unconscious.
Post Concussion Syndrome
This syndrome occurs after head injuries and includes persistent headaches, difficulty focusing or concentrating, dizziness and fatigue.
Second Impact Syndrome
This disorder can happen when a head injury victim has not fully recovered from an earlier injury and sustained further head trauma. This can be extremely serious and may result in death or paralysis.
2) Concussion without loss of consciousness: The individual has not lost consciousness, but there are symptoms similar to concussion with loss of consciousness.Â
3) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI)
This includes headaches, dizziness, and confusion. It is not considered to be serious but can cause long-term consequences.
Second Impact Syndrome
This disorder can happen when a head injury victim has not fully recovered from an earlier injury and sustained further head trauma. This can be extremely serious and may result in death or paralysis
4) Concussion with minor symptoms: The individual experiences brief headaches and dizziness.
Second Impact Syndrome
This disorder can happen when a head injury victim has not fully recovered from an earlier injury and sustained further head trauma. This can be extremely serious and may result in death or paralysis.
What are the Symptoms of a Concussion Injury?
A concussion injury is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or other force resulting in the shaking of the brain within the skull. Most individuals fully recover with proper treatment and rest. However, some symptoms require additional medical attention.
The initial symptoms may include prolonged headache, nausea, vomiting, imbalance, or a feeling of pressure in the head. Additional symptoms may include:Â
- Â Â Short-term memory loss.
- Â Â Sensitivity to light and sound.
- Â Â Drowsiness.
- Â Â Slurred speech.
- Â Â Inability to focus on more than one task at a time.
- Â Â Increased irritability or aggression.
Many individuals experience these common concussion symptoms only a few hours after suffering from an injury; however, symptoms may take days or weeks to appear. It is important to note that these concussion symptoms do not always immediately appear after the injury; however, it should be pointed out if an individual is experiencing any of these symptoms for a prolonged period following the head injury.
Some individuals experience symptoms years after a head injury suggesting that the brain has not fully healed. It is important to note that any behavior change, worsening of symptoms, or a doctor should evaluate new symptom onset as these may suggest poor healing and potential neurological damage.Â
Treatment of a Concussion Injury
When you have a concussion, it is crucial to get treatment. Treatment can help your body recover faster and prevent further problems. Follow these steps for rehab:
Take it easy
If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, stop what you are doing and rest until you feel better. This goes for any physical activity – even walking. Resting will give your brain the chance to recover and heal. If you get dizzy again, stop and rest.
Get Help From Others
Don’t try to do everything alone when you have a concussion injury. It is essential to let others help or check on you. You can ask friends or family members for help with things like housework or personal care. Tell a friend if you feel ill or have more symptoms.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid alcohol and drugs, even over-the-counter medications that can make a concussion injury worse. They can also slow down brain recovery.Â
Don’t Push Your Body Too Hard
Don’t let anyone push your body too much – including yourself. If you are anxious to return to work, school, or sports activities, be sure someone checks on you. Pushing yourself too hard won’t heal faster, and it could make things worse.
Get To Sleep On Time
Getting plenty of sleep will help your body heal. Make sure to go to bed early enough that you don’t have trouble waking up in the morning so that you can get a whole night’s rest.
Avoid Stress
Stress can worsen the symptoms of a concussion injury. Take it easy at home, work, and school. If you are having trouble relaxing, try listening to music or going for a walk. Don’t do anything that will make your brain feel more stressed.
Take Your Time Recovering
It’s essential to give your body enough time to heal fully. You may not feel like yourself for a while, and that’s OK. Follow your body’s timetable for recovery, even if others around you want you back. Recovery can take longer than expected, particularly if you have had more than one concussion injury in the past.
It is also important not to get too active too soon. When you feel better, start with light exercise like walking and avoid doing anything that makes your head pound or gives you a headache.
Skipping Rehab
For most people with a concussion injury, returning to work, school, or sports is possible if they wait long enough for their bodies to heal and do rehab exercises. They will all need some rehabilitation training program to help them get better. Rehab can be very helpful, even if you don’t feel like doing it. If you stop your rehab early or skip many days, it could hurt your recovery and prevent you from getting back to normal activities.
Different Types of RehabÂ
There are several kinds of treatments that will help with concussion injuries. One of them is rest.
Physical Therapy
This type of rehab uses exercises, massage, stretching, and other types of movement to help your body recover from a concussion injury. An AFL strength and conditioning coach can work with you on these activities and help develop a personalized program that fits your needs. There may be specific exercises about balance or strength that you need to do to help your body fully recover.Â
Physical therapy exercises can be done at home or in a clinic and don’t take long each day. Because exercise helps the body repair itself, it is vital to collaborate with a strength and conditioning coach Melbourne has for rehab exercises.
Other Types of Rehab:
Other types of rehab can also help your body recover from a concussion injury. Some people use medicine and other treatments with their strength and conditioning coach’s supervision.
Medicines and Other TreatmentsÂ
Some people may need medicine to treat headache pain or other symptoms of the concussion injury. Always check with your doctor before taking any new medication.
You can usually return to normal activities like work, sports, or school if you give your brain enough time to heal fully. This may take several weeks or months. It is important not to rush your strength and conditioning coach Melbourne has for recovery. This could make symptoms last longer than they should or even cause another concussion, followed by a much longer recovery.
If you have symptoms it’s important to seek medical advice from a sports doctor. Prepare Like A Pro recommends rest, and if you have had many headaches since the concussion injury, take time off from work or school to recover.
****
Be updated with the new trends. Listen to your favorite athletes and learn from reliable coaches. Subscribe to Prepare Like A Pro Youtube and Podcast!
