Concussion
The Impact Result Concussion
By Neurosurgery Singapore
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking of the head and upper body also can cause concussions.
In some cases, it may cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not.
What are some symptoms of a concussion?
The signs of concussion may include the following:
- memory problems
- confusion
- drowsiness or feeling sluggish
- dizziness
- double vision or blurred vision
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light or noise
- balance problems
- slowed reaction to stimuli
The post concussion symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following your injury. Having any head injury should monitor any signs of a concussion.
“Concussion keeps the brain from working normally. Symptoms of having it may last less than a day or may linger for months, or longer.”
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What types of diagnosis?
Our Neurologist will ask about the event leading to your head injury, your symptoms and perform a neurological exam. The neurological exam will check your:
- Neurological function and reflexes.
- Vision, eye movement, reaction to light.
- Balance and coordination.
- Hearing.
- Strength.
- Neck muscles for their motion and for tenderness
Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs are not always necessary during the early stages of evaluation, since many symptoms don’t appear on these scans. However, they may be used if there’s a concern about more serious damage or complications – like bleeding inside the skull, brain swelling or spinal cord or cervical spine injury – or if symptoms are worsening.
How concussion is treated?
Concussion treatment primarily focus on rest and gradual return to normal activities. Careful management of concussion is important. Here are key approaches:
Rest: Physical and cognitive rest is crucial immediately after the injury. This means limiting activities that require concentration, such as reading, using screens, or engaging in strenuous physical activities while recovering from concussion.
Gradual Return: After a period of rest, activities can be gradually reintroduced. It’s essential to monitor for any returning symptoms and adjust accordingly.
Symptom Management: Pain relievers can help to manage headaches, but there are certain medications to avoid immediately after the injury due to potential bleeding risks.
Hydration and Nutrition: Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet can support recovery.
Follow-up Care: Regular check-ins with our doctor is important to assess recovery from concussion and determine when it’s safe to return to sports or other activities.
Physical Therapy: If balance or coordination issues persist, our physical therapist may help with specific exercises.
Cognitive Therapy: For ongoing cognitive issues, cognitive rehabilitation may be beneficial.
Have a consultation with our healthcare professional for personalized advice and management. If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, seek immediate medical attention from us.
Can a concussion cause jaw pain?
Head injuries and similar impact can cause pain in your jaw as well as in the bones and muscles of your head, neck and shoulders. Injury to the jaw joint and jaw muscles can sometimes happen after hitting your head. Also, headache can be the result of spasms and inflammation in your jaw muscles following a blow to the jaw.
To be safe, it’s best to talk to our doctor after sustaining any type of head injury. If it’s serious, your chances of making a full recovery are much better if you seek early treatment.
