Learn more about the connection between less screen time and better sleep. You may want to try avoiding big crowds and bright fluorescent lighting for a few days while you recover. This will give your body time to heal and prevent light or sound sensitivities from getting worse. Try to avoid anything that causes your head or neck to jostle around. These are the types of motions that can cause a concussion in the first place, and minimizing them gives your brain a chance to recover. While some of these motions might be unavoidable, steer clear of roller coasters and excessive physical activity for a few weeks.
This suggests that staying hydrated is probably a good idea while you recover too. Proper hydration is also important for your overall health, especially while your body is healing. How much water should you be drinking? Find out. Resting may be the most important thing you can do while recovering from a concussion.
Giving both your mind and body plenty of rest reduces your stress levels and helps your body recover. Avoid any strenuous exercise for a week or so. If you want to keep exercising, try to keep it light. A study found that branched-chain amino acids , which are the building blocks of proteins, may improve some of the cognitive symptoms of a concussion. As you recover, try to eat plenty of protein. Meats, beans, nuts, and fish are all great sources of branched-chain amino acids.
Looking for more options? Here are 20 high-protein foods to help you recover. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been linked to improving both cognition and the recovery of neurons in concussions sustained by mice in a lab setting. Foods rich in omega-3s include fatty fish, such as salmon, walnuts, flax seeds, soy, and chia seeds.
You can also take fish oil supplements, available on Amazon , to increase your omega-3 intake. Some research suggests that antioxidants may improve memory and overall neural functioning. To get more antioxidants, try eating these 12 foods. Try to resist the urge to jump right back into your usual daily activities.
This can be especially hard if your symptoms come and go. Right after a concussion, in what doctors call the acute phase, experts recommend 24—72 hours of rest. During this time, individuals need to cut back on all their activities, from work and school to sports and housework. In addition, someone who has suffered a head injury should not be left alone for the first 48 hours.
After this acute phase, people can begin to start returning to their normal lives. However, they need to do so slowly and gradually to make sure they do not overstress or reinjure themselves. Concussion recovery can be more complicated for athletes. Some doctors may recommend as little as 7—10 days of healing before returning to play, although research from found that full recovery from concussion averaged If someone does not seem to be recovering fully from a concussion after several weeks, they should see a doctor again to check for post-concussion syndrome.
One of the critical factors affecting concussion recovery is the severity of the original injury. In general, the more severe the injury, the longer it takes to recover. Rest is essential for anyone recovering from a concussion, no matter how young or how strong they are. Trying to do too much too soon can interfere with healing, and returning to vigorous exercise too soon increases the danger of a repeat brain injury, with potentially much more severe health consequences.
Eating a healthful diet can promote concussion recovery. The Headway Foundation , a nonprofit organization promoting safer sports, recommends the following foods:. People sometimes describe concussions as mild brain injuries, but they must treat them seriously and take steps to help their recovery. Most people with concussions will experience a complete recovery, but the length of time it takes the body and mind to heal can vary.
In most cases, someone will recover within a month. In rare cases, recovery can take longer than 6 weeks, which is known as post-concussion syndrome. During the process of concussion recovery, people can begin to return to their regular activities. However, they should do so slowly and cautiously, especially when it comes to sports.
When your symptoms are gone, that means your brain is still doing a pretty good job of compensating. Remember those suboptimal pathways? The changes might not be severe enough for you to notice… at first. Over time, the reduced oxygen and signaling make each other worse. Eventually, that negative loop makes the deficiency present symptoms.
For example, you might have had no problems with vision immediately after your concussion. But a few months later, you might discover that your peripheral vision is disappearing. That negative cycle of oxygen insufficiency and reduced signaling is why. If you experience trauma to the brain, watch out for the emergency symptoms listed above. If any of those symptoms emerge, you need to visit a hospital immediately. That depends. This is only helpful if structural damage is suspected.
Otherwise, opt for a sports medicine practitioner. Since sports injuries frequently include concussions, sports doctors are more likely to stay current on recent developments in treating concussions and can give you better advice than just recommending bed rest. That said, your best option is to look for a reputable concussion clinic. For information on how to choose a good concussion clinic, read this post. If you prefer to wait, give yourself two weeks for symptoms to resolve.
Post-concussion syndrome, in most cases, will not fully resolve on its own. Targeted physical and cognitive therapy can make a huge difference in outcomes. To see if you are eligible for treatment, schedule a free consultation with our staff.
Mark D. He has 15 years of research and clinical experience in fMRI, with 22 publications in tier-1 peer-reviewed scientific journals, 3 book chapters, and dozens of presentations at scientific and professional conferences in neuroscience, neuroimaging, and neuropsychology. Having collected and analyzed fMRI data from over 1, experimental subjects and over clinically-referred patients, Dr.
Allen is a pioneer and expert in the development of fMRI for use in clinical settings. Contact Us. Categories Follow Us Subscribe. Have convulsions or seizures Have one pupil that is larger than the other Look excessively drowsy or do not awaken Lose consciousness. These are symptoms of a serious brain injury and necessitate immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Concussion in Teenagers The list of concussion symptoms for teenagers is the same as the symptoms in adults listed above. Symptoms of a Concussion in Children and Toddlers Many everyday activities put young children at risk for concussions. Signs of concussion in children include these behaviors: Anger easily Appear dazed Cry more than usual Change their behavior patterns for food and sleep Lose their balance more frequently or seem unsteady Seem unusually tired Seem uninterested in favorite toys or activities Touch their head a lot to indicate it hurts.
Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome Many people who experience symptoms after their concussion should have healed have something called post-concussion syndrome.
Headaches That Worsen with a Specific Condition Common triggers for post-concussion headaches include physical activities , trying to think, exposure to light, and attempting to work. Overwhelm The feeling of being overwhelmed is often triggered by light and noise. Decreased Cognitive Performance Patients often experience things like brain fog, trouble shutting off their brains for the night, difficulty focusing or following conversations, and short-term memory issues. Types of Concussion Symptoms Sometimes, patients are given a concussion grade based on the severity of the circumstances around their concussion.
Short-Term Effects of a Concussion on the Brain In severe traumatic brain injuries, you might incur physical damage to the skull and brain. When Do Symptoms of a Concussion Appear? Can Symptoms of a Concussion Come and Go? Can Symptoms of a Concussion Be Delayed?
When Should You See a Doctor? About Dr. Post-Concussion Menstrual Cycle Changes? Recent Posts. Immediate or Early. Early or Delayed. Amnesia about the traumatic event. Car sickness or nausea with motion.
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