What to Do When You Have a Concussion

It’s estimated that between 1.6 and 3.8 million people in the United States suffer from concussions each year. If you are one of the millions, you need to follow the proper protocol to recover.

There area few things you can do to accelerate your recovery while reducing your symptoms.

Visit a Doctor

In 2014, an average of 155 people died each day from traumatic brain injuries. Even if you think you just have a slight concussion, it’s wise to visit a doctor. This is especially true if you lost consciousness, have slurred speech, weakness, or numbness.

Also, if you’re exhibiting bizarre behavior, vomiting, or have trouble waking up from sleep, don’t delay in going to a Brooklyn medical clinic for testing. Your doctor needs to rule out a more severe traumatic brain injury.

Once you are cleared, you can take steps to recover from your concussion.

Avoid Certain Activities

You need to rest your brain after a concussion. That means you should avoid stimulating activities such as:

• Video games
• Watching TV
• Using headphones
• Texting
• Reading
• Driving

You will find that it’s more difficult to focus and process information when recovering from a concussion. Avoiding these activities will accelerate the healing process.

Tune Into Your Triggers

Everyone heals differently, and you might have triggers that others do not. For instance, you might notice that bright lights make your s symptoms worse. Draw the blinds inside, and if you must go outside, wear sunglasses.

Your symptoms also might get worse when people use normal speaking voices. If that happens, avoid noises as much as possible. Explain your triggers to your family and friends, so they can help you avoid them.

Get Enough Rest

Sleep will help your brain recover from a concussion. Don’t be afraid to take hour-long naps throughout the day to get your necessary rest. You should also sleep for a full eight hours at night, so your brain can heal.

Keep Your Heart Rate at Normal Levels

You might want to get out and take a brisk walk or go to the gym, but avoid that when recovering from a concussion. The general rule is: If it will increase your heart rate, it’s off-limits. Don’t engage in physical activity until your doctor clears you to do so.

Be Mindful of Medication

Concussions can cause headaches, so you might want to reach for anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin. It’s best to avoid these medicines while healing. First, they can increase your risk of bleeding. Second, you don’t want to mask your symptoms while you recover. You need to know if your symptoms are getting worse, so you can go back to the doctor.

Seek Medical Treatment for Your Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, so it’s best to get checked before you try at-home care. While it’s likely that your concussion will heal by following the proper protocol, your doctor needs to rule out a more severe injury. Then you will be free to recover at home.

Call (718) 769-2521 today to schedule an appointment with an experienced neurologist in Brooklyn, NY who can help diagnose and treat your concussion. Don’t delay, call now and get on your road to recovery.