What to do if you suspect a concussion?
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head that forces the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. A concussion can be very serious and can change someone’s life by altering the brain’s functions. Any type of injury to the head should be attended to no matter the amount of pain or discomfort. If you hit your head in any way and proceed to experience feelings of dizziness or pain in the head area, you should immediately see a neurologist near West Islip. Dr. Anthony Adamo can provide you with an examination for a concussion and offer prevention tips for possible problems in the future.
How do I know if I have a concussion?
There are many symptoms of a possible concussion that you should be aware of if you think you have suffered the injury. Some of the most reported immediate symptoms of a concussion are:
- Headaches.
- Briefly losing consciousness.
- Amnesia and confusion regarding the traumatic event.
- Dizziness and disorientation.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Delayed response to questions.
- Fatigue.
It should be noted that not all symptoms of a concussion occur immediately following the traumatic event. Some symptoms may take hours, days or even weeks to happen. Examples of these types of symptoms can include some of the following:
- Concentration and memory complaints.
- Personality changes.
- Sensitivity to light and noise.
- Difficulty falling/staying asleep.
- Sudden feelings of depression.
If you experience any of these symptoms, either immediately after the traumatic event or in the days following, make sure to get the proper treatment you need by seeing a neurologist near West Islip at Nassau Suffolk Neurology.
What do I do if I suspect a concussion?
If you suspect a concussion, the first step of action is to immediately remove yourself from what you are doing whether it be a sporting event, at work or anything else that caused a blow to the head. You should get as much rest as you can after the traumatic event. Sleep is very important when you have a concussion because your brain recovers during sleep. You can take naps during the day but not long enough to interfere with your proper 8-hour sleep duration at night. You should also rest your brain by not thinking too hard while at work or school. Thinking too hard will aggravate your brain, even more, when you have a concussion. If you experience symptoms related to a concussion, you should refrain from driving, watching a lot of television, and constantly looking at your phone or electronic device. Doing any of these activities will cause more damage to your brain and will likely cause more discomfort.
If you do all of these recommendations and are still experiencing symptoms, you must see a neurologist near West Islip to get an expert to put you through tests to figure out the severity of your injury.
Nassau Suffolk Neurology – Neurologist near West Islip
If you or anyone you know has experienced a traumatic blow to the head and you suspect a concussion, make sure you see a neurologist near West Islip. Contact Nassau Suffolk Neurology here to make sure you get the proper treatment to get your brain working the way it should be again! Please also click here to view our list of accepted insurances.