Engaging in physical activities, including your favorite sports, can be fun and fulfilling. However, like most things, it comes with risks, including injuries such as fractures and other health issues. But that does not mean and should not prevent you from participating in sports. You can use protective wear when playing and seek the right treatments immediately after an injury. Suppose you suffer concussions in Oakhurst; Dr. Perlman, a sports medicine specialist at Kai Sports Medicine LLC, can help. In this article, we learn details about concussions.
What is a concussion?
It is a traumatic brain injury that occurs after your head has experienced a blow. The back and forth movements caused by a blow cause non-permanent chemical changes in the brain, leading to a temporarily altered mental state. Concussions are common, affecting about 3.8 million individuals in the US yearly.
How do you tell if you have a concussion?
Most people associate unconsciousness with a concussion, but the truth is it does not always happen due to a concussion. A concussion may cause you to experience the following symptoms:
· Headache
· Confusion
· Dizziness
· Nausea or vomiting
· Blurred vision
· Drowsiness
· Loss of balance
· Memory issues
· Sensitivity to light or sound
It is critical to be aware of the concussion symptoms, more specifically when it comes to kids. Concussion in a child may show the following symptoms:
· Loss of appetite
· Vomiting
· Listlessness
· Excessive crying
· Unconcern towards people and toys
· A shocking appearance
· Disruptive sleeping
· Loss of balance
· Increased irritability
The symptoms of a concussion do not necessarily happen after the injury, and they can even occur months after the accident.
What are the causes of a concussion?
A cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull offers protection to your brain. A vigorous activity that pushes your skull violently may cause your brain to bang the sides of the head, leading to a concussion.
Sports activities, especially football, boxing, or hockey, are a common cause of concussions. Wearing protective gear and clothing during sports is not perfect prevention of concussions; they may still occur.
Concussions also occur from high-impact collisions like motor vehicle accidents.
You are also likely to experience a concussion if you have experienced it before.
Treating a concussion
Your treatment for a concussion depends on your symptoms. At Kai Sports Medicine LLC, Dr. Perlman uses noninvasive treatments to help manage your symptoms. Some of the available treatments include:
· Therapies
· Pain relievers
· Mind-body techniques
As per Dr. Perlman’s advice, taking a break from strenuous activities during recovery is essential. You might also want to avoid traveling by car or motorcycle and ensure you get plenty of rest. The recovery time is different for everyone, depending on the severity of the concussion.
Concussions result from brain damage due to a blow to the head. Sports activities are a primary cause of concussions. Though it may not prevent concussions fully, wearing protective clothing is crucial. It is relevant to be aware of concussion symptoms in adults and children. If you are experiencing concussion symptoms, Dr. Perlman provides detailed care to help you recover faster. Call Kai Sports Medicine LLC today to schedule your consultation.
