Concussion

A sudden or hard impact to the head can jolt the brain. When a blow to the head or body causes the brain to move or twist in the skull, it can damage brain cells or cause chemical changes. This is called a concussion, which is a mild form of traumatic brain injury. Although patients can completely recover from a concussion without treatment, there are risks of serious damage to the brain. When there are concerning symptoms from a concussion, treatment may be needed. Our team of experts offer treatments for concussions and other head pain at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine.

If a blow to the head causes a concussion, the symptoms are usually evident immediately after the injury. Symptoms can change in the following hours, days and weeks after the event. However, some of the most common symptoms that indicate a concussion include:

• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Light sensitivity
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating or “brain fog”

A slight concussion can dissipate on its own. Most concussions will include a headache, but this can fade away. If a headache becomes worse or more symptoms are present after an impact to the head, it could be a sign of a serious brain injury and should receive emergency medical treatment. A concussion could cause a brain hemorrhage, seizures or serious brain injuries that require immediate attention.

Recovering from a Concussion

A serious concussion can cause brain trauma. It is important to have a medical exam to ensure that there is not any injury to the brain. Recovering from most concussions requires rest for one or two weeks to allow the brain to heal. In severe cases when a brain injury has occurred or a patient has had multiple concussions, treatment may be needed to address symptoms such as chronic headaches, migraines or physical impairments.

If you suffered from a severe concussion and have head pain or other symptoms from your injury, contact Medici Orthopaedics & Spine today for a consultation. We offer concussion treatments to alleviate pain and improve function at our clinics in the greater Atlanta area.