Oftentimes a mild traumatic injury that occurs because of a jolt or a violent shake, messes up your brain activity. And sometimes a bad hit to your body causes your head to move forward or backward with force. If this results in making you feel dizzy, nauseated and gives you a terrible headache, this is a concussion that you are experiencing.
According to the top neurologist in the world, a lot of times concussions lasts for 4 to 5 days. But in some cases, emergency treatment is needed. Generally, a loss of function caused by a concussion doesn’t last long and is temporary. However, concussions if repeatedly occur can cause permanent brain damage.
What Causes a Concussion?
Our brain is made up of very squishy and soft tissues. It contains a cerebrospinal fluid (which acts as a cushion) to protect itself from the outer hard skull. A concussion occurs when your brain bounces and collides with the inside of the skull, as a result of a jolt or a shock.
It bruises and damages the blood vessels and the nerves in your brain. This causes an imbalance in brain chemicals. But this damage is not life-threatening in most cases. However, the effects of a concussion can bug you for days and even weeks.
Symptoms you need to know
The most general signs of a concussion involve;
- Headaches (most common symptom)
- Nausea
- Balance Problems/dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Brain fogging
- Loss of consciousness for sometime
In the case of children, the symptoms are not very clear. It is obvious that they can’t speak. So you need to check for any bumps on the head, see if they’re being overly cranky or crying nonstop.
Where Does a Concussion Occur?
So, a concussion can occur in the exact area where you get hit and can also affect other areas of the brain, as the brain tissues move inside and collide with the skull. Although the after-effects are temporary, injury on the back of the brain takes the longest time to heal.
The diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will take your history and ask about your symptoms. Then he’ll have a neurological exam where he will check your;
- Vision and eye movement
- Neurological reflexes
- Strength
- Hearing Balance and Body Coordination
Written, oral and verbal tests can be taken to check your problem-solving skills and thinking ability. You will also be asked about your behavioral, mood, and sleep changes. Imaging with a CT scan or MRI is recommended only when there are some serious signs of the injury. A damaged skull, internal bleeding, and swelling of the spinal cord are some of the signs that require serious testing.
Treatment and Recovery
You need to have more rest than usual in order to treat concussions. But don’t take too much rest, as doctors say that this prolongs the recovery period. It makes you even more sensitive to carry on with daily tasks even. Instead of stopping all the activities that you love, focus on the triggers that cause your concussion.
But do limit the activities that make you uncomfortable. Start slow, indulge yourself in activities that don’t make you feel worse. Whenever you feel that your symptoms are kicking in, back off and take a rest. Here are some of the activities that can worsen your symptoms;
- Spending a lot of time watching phone screens
- Watching TV or laptop
- Reading for longer intervals
- Listening music
The recovery timetable varies from person to person and depends upon the severity of the injury. In general, it is noticed that it takes 14 to 21 days to fully recover. However poorly treated or wrongly diagnosed concussions can prolong the recovery period from weeks to months.
Spinal Cord Compression: What Causes It?
Compression of the spinal cord can transpire caused by a category of factors. The most prevalent cause, according to experts, is gradual wear and tear on the spine’s bones. Osteoarthritis is another name for it. compression of the spinal cord is a risk for people over 50. Spinal cord pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, and it can strike at any age.
It can happen gradually or quickly, depending on a variety of circumstances such as a spinal tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, certain bone diseases, improper spine alignment, and so on. This can be due to a string of normal reactions of sitting for too long in a specific manner that it cuts off your blood supply to that body part for that time being. In other cases, if you haven’t eaten then it can also be the cause of that numbing feeling in your body.
If this is something that happens every once in a while, due to your sitting position or eating habits then it is okay. But if the situation happens suddenly or stays for a longer period of time then it may be an indication that you have to visit your neurologist.
It can also be an onset of stroke therefore make sure that you are not avoiding any such situation.
Difficulty in Vision
It can be due to two reasons either your nervous system is affected or you are just of age. But if the vision issues are sudden and in both of your eyes. Then it is the right time to get your eyes checked.
They will further guide you that you should see a neurologist or not. If the situation is not that bad, then you may just have to visit an ophthalmologist.
Memory Issues or Dementia
This is a situation that occurs mostly in elderly people. But the cognitive loss of memory can happen at any age. This loss of memory if it is happening at a fast pace then it calls for a diagnosis.
Final Thought
Concussions occur when you least expect them. So, take precautionary measures in your daily life activities to avoid them. Wear your seatbelt, hold the railing while on stairs and strengthen your neck muscles. With all of this, don’t forget to go and visit your neurologist. Take the proper treatment and whenever you get a head injury don’t take it lightly. Listen to your gut instinct and get yourself treated.
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