Last updated on June 16th, 2023 at 05:09 pm
Head injuries are naturally a cause for concern. Your brain sits inside your skull surrounded by a special fluid. This jelly-like fluid cushions the brain when your head moves, preventing it from hitting the inside of your skull and becoming damaged.Unfortunately, there are times when an accident places excessive force on your brain and the fluid can’t stop the brain from hitting the inside of your skull. In most cases, this is not something to be concerned about.
However, it is a good idea to monitor the person to ensure they don’t develop a concussion. The classic signs of concussion include:
- Headaches or a feeling of pressure in their head
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Confusion regarding their surroundings or what is happening
- Feeling sluggish
- Find light and moderate noises intensely disturbing
- Simply don’t feel like themselves
The good news is that most concussions are mild and don’t need the help of a hospital and a good neurosurgeon. But, you do need to know how to treat a mild concussion and when to take the person to a hospital.
Table of Contents
Ice Packs
Ice packs are best, if you have them. If not, you can use frozen peas or something similar. The idea is to place them on the head, where the injury occurred. The ice reduces the flow of blood to the area, effectively reducing inflammation and swelling. As swelling can place pressure on the brain this is an important step.
It is worth noting that the ice pack or frozen vegetables should never be placed directly onto the skin. Always wrap them in a towel or something similar first, this prevents burns to the skin.
Avoid Stress
Stress triggers a huge array of responses in your body, all controlled by the brain. It’s important, after a mild concussion, to let the brain relax and recover. That means avoiding all stress if you can.
It is worth noting that while people believe that falling asleep is a bad sign, it’s okay to sleep with a mild concussion. It helps to calm your body, de-stress, and boosts the healing process.
Take Painkillers
It’s perfectly acceptable to take standard painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen when you have a mild concussion. This will relieve the pain of your headache; allow you to rest, and help you to heal faster.
Keep Someone Nearby
It’s important that anyone who has experienced a mild concussion should not be left alone. If complications do develop then the other person can contact the emergency services. This applies for the first 24 hours after a blow to the head.
It’s a good idea to avoid all contact sports and not to take drugs or alcohol, these will impede your recovery. In addition, it’s a good idea to take some time off work or school until you have properly recovered.
Went To See The Neurosurgeon
If the signs and symptoms of a mild concussion don’t disappear within two weeks you will need to see a specialist. They can run a variety of tests to ensure there is no other issue, that you are healing, and that everything is okay.
