A concussion - or more properly concussion of the brain - is a type of mild head injury often caused by a blow, bump, fall or any other accident that rapidly pushes the head and brain back and forth; during the traumatic event the brain is shaken against the internal walls of the skull. Most cases are mild in the sense that the patient is most likely able to recover completely, but the symptoms can be very difficult to notice, develop slowly and last for days or weeks. If you have received a blow to the head, you should go to the doctor within a day or two for an evaluation at the latest, even if you believe nothing is serious. After the visit, there are several techniques you can follow to treat the injury at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treat a Light Concussion Immediately
Step 1. Call the ambulance
If someone has suffered a head trauma, you should call 911 and have them undergo a medical examination; even a mild concussion of the brain is worthy of the attention of the healthcare professional. If you decide not to activate the emergency services, you must still pay attention to serious symptoms and, if they occur, call 911 immediately:
- He retched;
- Pupils of different sizes (anisocoria);
- Dizziness, confusion, agitation;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Drowsiness;
- Neck pain;
- Difficulty articulating words or dysarthria
- Difficulty walking
- Convulsions.
Step 2. Monitor the injured person
After a trauma involving the head, you need to check the victim for loss of consciousness first. Afterward, make sure she is alert and don't move her unless absolutely necessary.
- To be sure of her state of mind, ask her for her name, the day, how many fingers you are showing her, and if she remembers what happened.
- If he is unconscious, check his airways, breathing, and circulation to make sure he is breathing and call an ambulance right away.
Step 3. Keep it at rest
After a head injury it is necessary to rest and, if the injury is not serious, the victim can sit down. Make sure she is in a comfortable position and cover her with a blanket if possible.
If the head injury is severe or you fear damage to the back or neck, do not move the person unless necessary
Step 4. Apply ice
If there is no bleeding, place an ice pack on each swollen area, making sure it does not come into direct contact with the skin. place a towel between the ice pack and the area to be treated.
If you don't have a pack or ice pack, you can use a pack of frozen vegetables as an alternative
Step 5. Apply pressure
If the wound is bleeding, press it using a cloth, piece of clothing, or other piece of tissue to stop the bleeding. if possible, make sure the towel is clean, but if you can't get anything fresh from the laundry, try to use the cleanest one you have. Do not press too hard, you have to stop the bleeding and not create more pain; gently press the tissue onto the lesion.
- If you can, avoid direct hand contact with the cut, only touch it through the cloth to avoid contaminating it with bacteria.
- If you believe this is a serious injury, do not move the victim's head and do not remove any debris; wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Step 6. Be prepared to give first aid if needed
If the individual loses consciousness while you wait for emergency services to arrive, you need to monitor their breathing and heart rate. Pay attention to the obvious signs of breathing (such as chest movement) or try to feel the breath on your skin by bringing your hand close to the victim's mouth and nose. Check your pulse by placing your middle and index fingers in the crook of the neck, just below the jaw, to the right or left of the larynx or Adam's apple.
- If she vomits, take her to a safe side position with great care, making sure her head and neck rotate. Free her mouth of stomach contents to keep her from choking on her own vomit.
- If at any time the victim stops breathing or has no heartbeat, they start CPR without stopping until help arrives.
Method 2 of 3: Treating a Light Concussion at Home
Step 1. Rest
To recover from a mild cerebral concussion it is necessary to rest mentally and physically; this is the most important thing a person can do to heal as quickly as possible.
- Physical rest means avoiding physical activity and getting tired; you should not participate in sports or other vigorous activities until the symptoms have disappeared or the doctor has given the green light.
- Mental rest means avoiding too much thinking, reading, using the computer, watching TV, texting, doing schoolwork, or any other exercise that requires concentration; also avoid driving or using tools.
Step 2. Get plenty of sleep
In addition to resting when you are awake, you should also sleep a lot during the night, as it is as important a factor as rest; try to sink into restful sleep for 7-9 hours a night.
Step 3. Stay away from substances that impair mental function
When you suffer a cerebral concussion, you should avoid any psychotropic products, do not drink alcohol, and do not take illegal drugs.
Step 4. Take pain relievers
If you complain of a headache, you can take acetaminophen to manage it.
Do not take ibuprofen (Moment, Brufen), aspirin or naproxen (Momendol), as they increase the risk of internal bleeding
Step 5. Apply an ice pack
If the bruise or bruise are a source of pain, use cold therapy, but do not put the compress in direct contact with the skin; wrap it in a towel and hold it on the painful area for 10-30 minutes. You can repeat the treatment every 2-4 hours during the first 48 hours after the accident.
- If you don't have the compress, use a pack of frozen vegetables.
- Cold also reduces headache.
Step 6. Stay with someone for the first 48 hours
When you suffer a head injury you shouldn't be alone for the next two days; a person must be present to monitor any severe symptoms.
Method 3 of 3: Monitor for Severe Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of concussion
When a person gets a bump in the head, someone needs to stay close to them looking for troubling symptoms. The injured person must understand if he has suffered a cerebral concussion whose most common consequences are:
- Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head;
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurry or double vision
- Sensitivity to noise and light;
- Apathy, confusion, lightheadedness, numbness;
- Confusion, concentration or memory problems, such as accident amnesia
- Generalized feeling of not being well;
- Disoriented, stunned, lost, distracted attitude or clumsy movements;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Slowness in answering questions;
- Changes in mood, personality or behavior.
Step 2. Watch for late symptoms
In some cases, the complaints occur late, minutes, hours, or even days after the trauma; the person caring for the injured person should continue to be alert for a few days after the accident. Here are some symptoms:
- Problems with concentration or memory
- Irritability and other personality changes
- Sensitivity to light and noise;
- Sleep disturbances, such as being unable to doze off, staying asleep, or being unable to wake up
- Depression and psychological adjustment problems;
- Alteration of the sense of taste and smell.
Step 3. Watch out for symptoms in children
When the victim is a small child, it is difficult to detect a concussion of the brain, but the symptoms are:
- Confused or disoriented appearance
- Exhaustion;
- Tendency to tire quickly
- Irritability;
- Loss of balance and unsteady gait
- Excessive crying that cannot be calmed;
- Alteration of eating or sleeping habits
- Sudden loss of interest in favorite toys.
Step 4. Monitor the alarm bells
Some symptoms that occur after a concussion are indicative of something more serious and should be immediately brought to your doctor's attention. Here is a list:
- Repeated vomiting
- Any loss of consciousness lasting more than 30 seconds;
- Headache that gets worse
- Sudden changes in behavior, in the ability to walk (for example, suddenly stumbling, falling), losing grip on objects or changes in thinking skills;
- Confusion or disorientation, such as not recognizing people or their surroundings;
- Dysarthria and other impairments in the ability to articulate words
- Uncontrollable seizures or tremors
- Eye or vision problems, such as pupils of different diameter or very dilated;
- Dizziness that does not improve;
- Worsening of any symptoms;
- Presence of a large bruise or bump on the head (except on the forehead) in children, especially in infants less than one year of age.
