Suspect a Concussion? Take These Steps Immediately

Getting the correct treatment immediately is essential if you suspect a concussion after you or a loved one suffers a head injury. Concussions are a potentially serious type of traumatic brain injury. Medical evaluation after a concussion is very important, especially in children and teens.

Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Beejal Y. Amin, evaluates patients of all ages with suspected concussions from his practice in Oak Lawn, South Holland, and Orland Park, Illinois. In case of a potential concussion, get in touch with Dr. Amin immediately for the care you need.

Understanding concussion

Concussion occurs when your head or upper body are jolted, shaken, or sustain a violent blow. Concussion is a common type of sports injury, especially for contact sports players.

This traumatic brain injury temporarily affects your brain function, and can have lasting implications for your physical and mental health.

Concussions range in severity. If you or a loved one has a concussion, get medical care from an expert like Dr. Amin. If someone suffers a head injury, it’s a good idea to wait to move them until a medical professional arrives.

Concussion symptoms might appear right after the injury. Or it might take a day or two for symptoms to appear.

Only some individuals who get a concussion lose consciousness. Common symptoms related to a concussion are headaches, confusion or memory problems, dizziness, drowsiness or feeling sluggish, vision changes, balance problems, slowed reactions, and heightened sensitivity to light and noise. Symptoms can occur for several days following a concussion.

What to do if you suspect a concussion

It’s a good idea to seek medical evaluation if you or a loved one experiences a head injury, regardless of other apparent symptoms.

If the concussion involved sports, wait to resume playing until you can get checked out by a professional.

Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following a suspected concussion, and stay with other people for the first day to ensure that symptoms don’t sneak up on you. In the first two days after a concussion, avoid caffeine, screen time, bright lights and loud noises, demanding physical activity, and alcohol.

If you delay seeking medical attention and symptoms haven’t cleared up after 7-10 days, it’s definitely time to call a doctor. Typically, most people recover after a concussion in that amount of time. If your symptoms worsen, you should contact a medical professional for evaluation.

After 2-4 weeks, you should be clear to resume all activities, including sports.

Risks related to concussions

If you reinjure your head after a concussion, your risks of severe complications rise significantly. The most critical part of treating a concussion is to let your head heal completely before risking reinjury. Second Impact Syndrome is a risk for children and adolescents with a concussion.

Some over-the-counter pain medications can be a problem for people with a concussion. Don’t take NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin if you think you could have a concussion, as these medications can increase your risk of bleeding and may result in complications.

You could also be at risk of post-concussion syndrome or other neck or back injuries.

Evaluating your condition

Dr. Amin can evaluate your condition after a head injury or concussion and advise you on the correct next steps to protect your long-term brain health and function. He may use diagnostic imaging to learn more about your condition.

Many concussions heal without needing medical intervention. Still, it’s best to be evaluated by Dr. Amin if you suspect a concussion to ensure that more severe complications don’t affect you currently or in the future.

You can make an appointment with Dr. Amin online or over the phone.