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What are the Different Types of Concussion Treatment?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
There are two basic types of treatment for a concussion: home and medical treatment. At home, you can usually treat a concussion by applying ice, which may help with swelling and discomfort. You may also use an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment such as acetaminophen for pain, get lots of rest, and drink plenty of fluids. As far as medical treatment is concerned, a doctor may examine you and run tests to check the extent of your injuries. In most cases, he will recommend the same treatments you would use at home, such as rest and an OTC pain reliever.
Rest is usually the most important concussion treatment. After a concussion, a patient is usually advised to avoid physical exertion. An individual with this condition may assume that it is okay to continue regular mental activities after a concussion, but this is usually not the case. Doctors often recommend a reduction in activities that require mental exertion as well. For example, a doctor may recommend that a patient reduce his school or employment workload temporarily. In fact, a doctor may even recommend that a patient reduce his television watching and video game playing as well.
Concussion treatment may also include the use of pain relievers. Often, concussions are associated with headache pain, and using a pain reliever may help a patient feel more comfortable as he recovers. Though many different OTC medications may be useful for other types of conditions, doctors often recommend that patients choose acetaminophen for dealing with this type of headache pain. This is due to the fact that other pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen are associated with increased bleeding, which may prove problematic after a concussion.
The use of ice after a concussion may help reduce swelling if an individual has a bruise at the injury site. In most cases, it is best to wrap the ice in a washcloth or other type of material instead of placing the ice directly on the patient’s skin. An individual may find this treatment is most helpful when applied right after the injury and for about 20 minutes every couple of hours thereafter. Usually, the maximum benefit of this concussion treatment is gained in the first day after being injured.
If the patient seeks medical treatment in addition to self-care at home, a doctor may examine him and run tests to gauge the extent of his injuries. If he has cuts or bruises, the doctor may treat them as well. After these steps, the medical treatment for a concussion is usually much the same as the self-care method of treatment, including rest and pain relief.
Concussion treatment typically includes monitoring the patient for changes in behavior and condition. In many cases, this monitoring can occur in the patient’s home. In some cases, however, the patient’s injuries are concerning enough that he must stay in a hospital for monitoring.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![An MRI scan of the brain can be used to help determine the severity of a concussion.]()
By: Marcin SadlowskiAn MRI scan of the brain can be used to help determine the severity of a concussion. -
![It is important to get plenty of rest with a concussion.]()
By: april_89It is important to get plenty of rest with a concussion. -
![If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they should be taken off the field of play immediately.]()
By: Diego BarbieriIf an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they should be taken off the field of play immediately. -
![After a blow to the head, it's a good idea to take over-the-counter pain relievers and drink plenty of water.]()
By: Scott GriesselAfter a blow to the head, it's a good idea to take over-the-counter pain relievers and drink plenty of water.
Discussion Comments
Sporkasia - Treatment and recognition of concussions has improved, especially where youth sports are concerned. However, there is still much to be done in this area. There are still schools and organizations that have medical workers at games, but fail to take the same precautions with practices.
There was a teenage football player who was brought to the hospital recently. He and another player had run into one another during a non-contact drill, and no equipment was being worn. The coaches had allowed the boys to complete practice and then go home.
The boy who was brought to the hospital had been complaining of headaches and sensitivity to light, so his mother brought him in. Both of his symptoms were signs of a concussion and as it turned out he had a concussion. Parents still have to be on guard in this area.
Drentel - Maybe I am showing my age here, but I too remember when medical care for youth activities was less than adequate. Today, there are usually a couple of trained medical workers at the youth sports events I attend. This was unheard of when I was a child.
Today, when children bump heads or collide during a game, they are thoroughly examined for concussion symptoms and often sent to an emergency room as a precaution. And parents are given written instructions for treating a child with a mild concussion once the child goes home.
When I was a kid playing football, nobody talked about concussions or brain injuries. The term coaches used was "getting your bell rung." If someone hit you and knocked you dizzy, they would say you'll be okay. You just got your bell rung. And usually they were smiling or laughing when they said it, so we kids assumed it was no big deal.
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