Minor Head Injury Recovery Time

What Are The Long

Long term complications of concussion include:

• Post-concussion syndrome. This is a condition in which you experience concussion symptoms for weeks or even months after experiencing a concussion. Such symptoms may include ongoing dizziness/spinning, headache, memory and concentration problems, mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, personality changes, insomnia and excessive drowsiness.
• Higher risk of anxiety and depression .
• Structural brain injuries from multiple concussions. People who have had several head injuries in their life are at higher risk of long-lasting impairment. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is one example of a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head.
• Problems with memory, naming and word-finding.

Anyone who has symptoms that wont go away or that are worsening seen be seen by their healthcare provider.

About Minor Head Injuries

Minor head injuries are common in people of all ages and rarely result in any permanent brain damage.

If your child experiences a knock, bump or blow to the head, sit them down, comfort them, and make sure they rest. You can hold a cold compress to their head try a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel.

• mild dizziness
• mild blurred vision

If your child’s symptoms get significantly worse, take them straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital or call 999 for an ambulance.

Concussion Treatment And Home Remedies

If you donât need hospitalization, the doctor will give you instructions to follow. Experts recommend follow-up medical attention within 24 to 72 hours if symptoms worsen. To recover at home, you should:

• Take a break. If your concussion was sustained during athletic activity, stop play and sit it out. Your brain needs time to properly heal, so rest is key. Definitely do not resume play the same day. Athletes and children should be closely monitored by coaches upon resuming play. If you resume play too soon, you risk a greater chance of having a second concussion, which can compound the damage. The American Academy of Neurology has issued guidelines about resuming activities after a concussion.
• Guard against repeat concussions. Repeat concussions cause cumulative effects on the brain. Successive concussions can have devastating consequences, including brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities, or even death. Don’t return to normal activities if you still have symptoms. Get a doctor’s clearance so you can return to work or play with confidence.
• Treat pain with aspirin-free medications. Your doctor will prescribe a medication to relieve pain or recommend an over-the-counter option.

Read Also: New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys

What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body and affects how the brain works. A mild traumatic brain injury, such as a minor concussion, can affect your brain cells temporarily, while a more severe traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, bleeding, and other damage to the brain. A severe TBI results in long-term complications or death. The symptoms of such an injury vary from victim to victim. Some experience an onset of vertigo and headaches. Fluid may build up in the brain, causing swelling. Blood vessel damage can cause clots or strokes. There are also problems that arise with memory, learning, speech, and reasoning. If you have suffered or if you have a loved one who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may also see behavioral changes as well as physical. Traumatic brain injury patients often have difficulty with self-control they suffer from depression or anxiety, and display risky behavior.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that recovery from a traumatic brain injury largely depends on four factors: the health of the person prior to the injury, the severity of the TBI, access to healthcare, specifically specialized traumatic brain injury care, and family and social support.

What Factors Can Affect Recovery

One of the critical factors affecting concussion recovery is the severity of the original injury. In general, the more severe the injury, the longer it takes to recover.

Rest is essential for anyone recovering from a concussion, no matter how young or how strong they are.

Trying to do too much too soon can interfere with healing, and returning to vigorous exercise too soon increases the danger of a repeat brain injury, with potentially much more severe health consequences.

Eating a healthful diet can promote concussion recovery. The Headway Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting safer sports, recommends the following foods:

• protein to support healthy brain function
• fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin E to support the nervous system
• fish, nuts, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to promote brain healing

Some factors interfere with concussion recovery. These include:

• a history of concussions

You May Like: Icd10 Code For Traumatic Brain Injury

Measurement Of Gcs And Pta

In general, patients were admitted directly to the hospital within 12 hours after injury. The GCS at admission was assessed as part of the neurological examination. Registration of the PTA was started as soon as patients had regained consciousness and were able to communicate , by means of a questionnaire adapted for use by nursing staff . All 12 items in the PTA questionnaire have been validated clinicallythat is, all items differentiated between patients in hospital with and without head injury. Twice daily the degree of PTA was determined by testing orientation and memory, with a range of score from 0 to 12 points. Once the maximum score of 12 was obtained, the patient was regarded as out of PTA which by definition is equal to the period from injury to the moment when the patient has continous memory for ongoing events.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Stages

Hopefully this guide to traumatic brain injury recovery stages has helped you understand what your recovery journey may look like.

If you feel stuck in a particular stage, dont give up hope. Its common to experience plateaus during recovery, but these plateaus do not have to be permanent. If you continue pursuing therapy, eventually you may start to make progress again and achieve a more optimal recovery.

Also Check: Austin Texas Personal Injury Attorney

Will My Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Improve After Two Years

While earlier studies reported that the majority of victims were at maximum medical improvement by the second year, newer research shows that for some people, improvement is possible. However, it will require ongoing therapy and medical care and you need to have realistic expectations. Many TBI survivors live with permanent limitations.

There is no yesterday, said Barb O., a client of Crosley Law who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being hit by a large truck. Like other victims of severe TBIs, Barbs memory is impaired, and she has no recall of some past events. Doctors suspect that Barb will never return to her post-crash life.

Never Hide Or Minimize Your Symptoms

Suffering from a brain injury already puts you in an emotionally and physically challenging condition. It is already hard to accept the changes that your body is going through, but it can be harder to explain to others how you are feeling. But, hiding or minimizing pain can only cause more damage.

You have to be completely honest with your doctor so that he can carry out the right kind of head injury treatment. If you keep the facts to yourself, your doctor may miss out on important information, and the diagnosis process will be of no use if he isnt able to treat you properly.

Recommended Reading: Personal Injury Lawyer Lynchburg Va

Stress And Injury Recovery

Stress seems to crop up all the time in health articles, for a good reason. High levels of stress can delay your healing time because chemicals released during a stressful response hinder immune action. It can also directly affect your pain levels, increasing your sensitivity as an individual.

We are made to tolerate certain levels of stress, but excess stress can have negative health benefits. So don’t be surprised if those busy few weeks leading up to that important deadline hinders your injury healing.

What Causes Bruising And Internal Damage To The Brain

When there is a direct blow to the head, shaking of the child , or a whiplash-type injury , the bruising of the brain and the damage to the internal tissue and blood vessels is due to a mechanism called coup-countrecoup. A bruise directly related to trauma, at the site of impact, is called a coup lesion. As the brain jolts backwards, it can hit the skull on the opposite side and cause a bruise called a countrecoup lesion. The jarring of the brain against the sides of the skull can cause shearing of the internal lining, tissues, and blood vessels that may cause internal bleeding, bruising, or swelling of the brain.

You May Like: Personal Injury Lawyer Kansas City Langdonemison.com

Should Someone With A Concussion Be Woken From Sleep At Regular Intervals

This is a myth. This is outdated information that may even slow the recovery process. Rest helps the brain recover from a concussion. However, its reasonable to check on the concussed person while they sleep to make sure their breathing pattern hasnt changed or to briefly wake them up to make sure their symptoms are not getting worse. The concussed person should be immediately seen by doctors if they fall asleep shortly after receiving a concussion or cant be woken up.

What Tests Can Be Used To Assess My Athletes Brain To See If They Are Ready To Go Back To School Or Sport

After the hands on neurological examination is complete, other neuropsychological tests can be used to assess a student-athletes ability to go back to school and sport.

ImPACT neuropsychological test

The immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive test is a concussion management tool used to help diagnose and evaluate student athletes. This computerized test measures a student athletes visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed.

The 30-minute test is ideally performed before the start of a sport season and after a head injury . Evaluating the test results and comparing with the baseline test helps care providers document brain function and see if it has returned back to a student athletes healthy normal. It can assist with treatment decisions and help determine when its safe for a student athlete to return to their activity.

Hospital or Organization Concussion App

Some sports health centers within hospital systems have developed their own concussion app. These tablet-based, mobile tools are used to report and assess concussion and symptoms.

Also Check: Personal Injury Settlement And Medicaid Eligibility

Signs And Symptoms Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury include:

• Sleep changes and fatigue
• Vision problems

These signs and symptoms are a normal part of mild traumatic brain injury and are not necessarily signs of permanent damage. They should subside as your brain heals.

However, there are some potential long-term effects of concussion to be aware of. Talk to your doctor if youre concerned you have lingering effects.

Many concussion symptoms can also occur after an injury to the neck, known as whiplash. Whiplash and mild traumatic brain injury frequently co-occur and may result in identical symptoms, but are separate conditions that require separate treatments.

Treating Minor Head Injuries

You can usually recover from a minor head injury at home but keep an eye out for any new symptoms that might develop.

If your child experiences a knock, bump or blow to the head, sit them down, comfort them, and make sure they rest. You can hold a cold compress to their head try a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel.

Seek immediate medical advice if symptoms such as mild dizziness and a headache get worse.

Also Check: Does Health Insurance Cover Work-related Injuries After Settlement

Head Injuries Vs Minor Bumps

A bump to the head is a common injury that does not usually cause serious problems. However, there is no clear point at which a doctor will class damage as a head injury.

It is usually possible to treat head injuries with mild or no symptoms at home. However, it is vital to know about the signs of a concussion and see a doctor if these develop.

Your Symptoms May Change With Time

You may experience plenty of symptoms with time, and they keep changing. You will be dealing with so many changes that you might not even notice a symptom until it causes you some serious problem. It is suggested to keep a record so that your doctor is helped in the diagnosis and can treat you better.

It becomes easier to cope with the problem once you start accepting it. Traumatic Brain Injury is indeed difficult to treat, so the healing process is going to take time. You can strive towards recovery by giving your brain complete rest and following the instructions given by your doctor.

Recommended Reading: Atlantic City Personal Injury Lawyers

Central Nervous System Stimulant Nonamphetamine

Class Summary: Nonamphetamine CNS agents have actions that are similar to sympathomimetic agents.Drug Name: Modafinil Description: May exert stimulant effects by decreasing GABA-mediated neurotransmission. Has wake-promoting actions similar to sympathomimetic agents. Improves wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime hypersomnolence. Has been used in narcolepsy and primary hypersomnia. Mechanism of action is unclear.

What Are The 10 Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Stages

Elizabeth Denslow, OTR/L Flint Rehab

Traumatic brain injury recovery can be a long and challenging process. One common tool used to classify and describe different stages of TBI recovery is the Rancho Los Amigos Scale.

This scale outlines ten stages of recovery that survivors typically experience based on the level of cognitive function that they attain. These stages serve only a general guide. Not every person will experience each stage in identical ways, and each survivor will recover at a different pace.

To better understand what the recovery process might look like, this article will cover each of the major traumatic brain injury recovery stages survivors may experience based on the Rancho Los Amigos Scale. Well also discuss techniques that can promote an optimal recovery.

You May Like: Personal Injury Lawyers In Denver

First Few Weeks After A Stroke

The typical length of a hospital stay after a stroke is five to seven days. During this time, the stroke care team will evaluate the effects of the stroke, which will determine the rehabilitation plan.

The long-term effects of stroke which vary from person to person, depending on the strokes severity and the area of the brain affected may include:

• Cognitive symptoms like memory problems and trouble speaking
• Physical symptoms such as weakness, paralysis and difficulty swallowing
• Emotional symptoms like depression and impulsivity
• Heavy fatigue and trouble sleeping

Physical and occupational therapy can help determine which areas of the brain are affected by working with a patient to complete various tasks, like walking or brushing hair. Speech-language therapy is important for patients who have trouble swallowing due to stroke or aftereffects of having a breathing tube.

Therapy sessions are conducted up to six times each day while the patient is at the hospital, which helps evaluate the damage caused by the stroke and jump-start the recovery.

How Long Does Injury Recovery Take

It depends on the type of injury you sustain, but generally speaking: healing takes time. We can predict a rough estimate on how long it may take for an injury to heal based upon which tissue is involved. For example:

• Bone fractures and minor muscle injuries: these typically heal a lot faster, from weeks to months.
• Tendon or ligament: these take longer, from months to a year.

Recovering from bone fractures and minor muscle injuries is quicker because of their rich blood supply, which means the tissue healing process can get well underway. Ever heard people say that it is better to break a bone than a ligament? There is your answer.

Although, it isn’t as simple as a quick fix. Somebody’s ability to heal is influenced by a whole host of other factors each of which can impact the body’s capacity to heal effectively. Here are a few ways you can help yourself for a speedy recovery:

Read Also: How Does Icing An Injury Help

When To Call A Doctor After Concussion

First off, see a doctor immediately after your head injury. The doctor will be able to tell you if you have a mild concussion, something less serious, or something worse.

During your recovery process, call a doctor right away if:

• You lose consciousness
• You experience amnesia
• You experience a seizure
• Your headache wont go away

Seeking immediate medical care after these symptoms ensures your concussion symptoms dont worsen.

Dont feel bad about going to the emergency room. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates almost 3 million people go to the emergency room for concussions every year.

A doctor is able to order an MRI or CT scan to better assess your head injury and recovery process.

Symptoms Of Minor Head Injuries

Minor head injuries often cause a bump or bruise. As long as the person is awake and with no deep cuts, it’s unlikely there will be any serious damage.

Other symptoms of a minor head injury may include:

• mild dizziness
• mild blurred vision

If these symptoms get significantly worse or if there are other, more serious symptoms, go straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital or call 999 to request an ambulance.

You May Like: Are Personal Injury Settlements Taxable In California

Risks Of Returning To Play Too Soon

Returning to sports or exercise too soon after a concussion is dangerous 1. If you get hurt again before you have had enough time to heal, the effects can be cumulative, which puts you at risk for serious neurological problems, reports MayoClinic.com. Playing in a big game, or getting in a few days of exercise, simply isn’t worth putting yourself at risk for permanent brain damage.