What are Concussions, Causes, Warning Signs, and Treatments

What are Concussions, Causes, Warning Signs, and Treatments : What comes to your mind when you hear about concussions? The most common cause of the trauma is falls, especially when involved in a sports activity. However, many individuals recover from the condition.

A concussion occurs due to brain damage, which may disrupt your daily living. The Falls Church concussion specialists at the Integrated Neurology Services offer comprehensive diagnoses and treatments for concussions, improving your life. Contact them today for a consultation.

What is a concussion?

A concussion refers to a traumatic brain injury causing back and forth movement of the brain against your skull. The effect leads to chemical changes in your brain, damaging your brain cells. Though concussions are not risky, they may have a severe impact on brain health.

The condition is more likely to happen to sports players at some point in their lives. A concussion can also occur in an automobile accident, personal assault, and a slip or falling accident. An experience of trauma may also increase the risk of it happening again. Other risk factors may include;

High-risk sports activities like soccer, boxing, or wrestling
Pedestrian or bicycle accident
Playing high-risk sports without safety wear

What are the warning signs of a concussion?

The symptoms of a concussion can develop suddenly or may slowly develop over some time following your accident. Some of the warning signs you are likely to experience include:

Nausea
Dizziness
Headache
Memory loss
Sensitivity to light and sound
Insomnia
Confusion
Mood changes

When left untreated, the symptoms may last up to months and may increase the risk of developing a second injury, resulting in more severe effects.

When to see a doctor

It is essential to see a doctor and get the necessary treatment to enhance brain healing when you first notice the warning signs.

It is also advisable to seek emergency care when you experience symptoms, such as;

Repeated vomiting
Weakness in the arms or legs
Unconsciousness
Behavior changes
Seizures or convulsions
Slurred or repetitive speech
Fluid and blood drainage from the nose or ears
Lasting or recurrent dizziness
Difficulty in physical coordination

For athlete patients, it is not advisable to return to your physical activities when still having concussion symptoms.

Diagnosis of a concussion

During your consultation at Integrated Neurology Services, your provider conducts various thorough exams to assess and diagnose your concussions. The highly knowledgeable team also performs neurological tests to evaluate your vision, reflexes, hearing, balance, and strength. They also check your memory, concentration, among other skills. A CT scan or MRI may also be necessary to evaluate your brain changes.

Treatment

Your provider creates a customized treatment plan after determining the cause of your concussion. Medical providers recommend physical and mental rest to enhance recovery. Medication may also be part of your treatment to relieve your symptoms.

Your doctor recommends regular office visits to monitor your recovery. You should avoid any sport training or participation until your doctor says it is safe.

Contact a concussion specialist today.

A concussion occurs as a result of a head blow causing traumatic brain damage. It is critical to visit your medical provider when you experience any concussion warning signs. Contact Integrated Neurology Services today for comprehensive consultations and concussion treatments.