What To Do If You Think You Have a Concussion

Many people have heard of concussions, but they don’t know exactly what they are, what symptoms they can cause, or what to do if they have one. More concerning, a lot of people don’t know how serious concussions can be, even when they initially cause few discernable symptoms. 

A concussion is actually a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that happens when your brain is subjected to an impact caused by a fall, a sports injury, a car accident, or similar injuries. Even non-impact injuries like whiplash can cause a concussion when the rapid back-and-forth motion of your neck and head cause contact between your brain and skull.

As many as 3.8 million concussions happen every year in the United States, but unfortunately, many injuries go untreated. Without proper medical care, concussions can progress, causing permanent brain damage or even death.

At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy, our seasoned medical team provides comprehensive acute care for people suffering from concussions, including on-site X-rays and workers’ compensation exams for people injured while on the job. 

Here’s what you should do if you think you may have a concussion.

What to do if you have a concussion

Because concussion symptoms can be subtle initially, it’s important to know what to do after a head injury to avoid serious or even life-threatening complications. Concussions are typically associated with sports injuries, falls, and car crashes, but whatever the cause of your injury, the steps you should take are roughly the same.

1. Stop and assess

First, stop doing whatever you’re doing — in fact, stop doing anything. Immediately after an injury, it’s important to give your body and brain immediate rest while you assess your injuries.

2. Know the symptoms

It’s also important to be mindful of some of the potential symptoms of a concussion, like:

• Headache
• Balance problems
• Double vision or other vision issues
• Confusion, problems concentrating, or problems with memory
• Trouble focusing
• Irritability or mood changes
• Abnormal fatigue
• Flashing lights or sensitivity to light or sound
• Nausea or vomiting

While loss of consciousness can also occur, it’s important to know that you can have a concussion without being “knocked out.”

3. Be careful with medication

Many concussions cause headaches, and it can be tempting to try to relieve that symptom with over-the-counter pain medicine. But masking your symptoms can lead to further delays in care and an increased risk of serious complications. 

Some medications may interfere with assessment and treatment by a medical provider, too. And of course, you should also avoid alcohol entirely until you can be medically assessed.

4. Seek medical attention

Seeing a medical care provider as soon as possible is one of the most important steps you can take if you think you have a concussion or if you’ve had an injury typically associated with concussions, like a fall or impact trauma. 

Our team uses special evaluations and assessments to determine if you have a concussion, providing important care and treatment to reduce your risk of further problems. We also help you understand which steps to take to protect your brain and avoid additional damage.

5. Rest

If you do have a concussion, rest plays an essential role in your recovery. That means resting physically and mentally, too. Avoid activities that require focusing, including reading and using your computer. 

Depending on the extent of your injury, we may recommend avoiding TV or movies for the first 24-48 hours after your injury to give your brain as much rest as possible. You’ll also need to avoid any strenuous physical activity along with social activities until our team gives you the go-ahead to resume your normal routine.

6. Follow recovery instructions

Our team provides complete recovery instructions so you know how to care for yourself following a concussion. It’s important to follow these instructions and resume activities gradually to avoid overstimulation. 

It’s also important to attend any follow-up appointments so we can adjust your treatment and recommendations over time. Finally, consider asking a loved one to take over chores during your initial healing period so you can get the complete rest your brain needs to heal.

Don’t ignore concussions

Concussions aren’t “just” a bump on the head. Without proper medical care, they can cause life-threatening complications — even when initial symptoms are mild or undetectable. 

If you think you have a concussion, seek expert care ASAP. Book an appointment online or over the phone with Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today.