How Concussion Affects the Brain and the Best Practices for Recovery
Concussions have become a hot topic in recent years due to the prevalence of these brain injuries in sports. However, concussions can also occur in your everyday life.
Whether you are playing football or walking across a wet floor, you are at risk of injury and concussion. Unfortunately, many people think that concussions are minor injuries that they can shrug off.
The truth is that concussions can have significant, lasting effects on the brain.
In this article, we will examine the effects of concussion on the brain and the best practices for recovery.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skull.
Most concussions occur from injuries during accidents, such as sports injuries. Imagine running down the field at full speed when suddenly you trip and fall headfirst into the ground. When your head hits the ground, your brain is jostled forward.
The impact on the brain can lead to a wide range of cognitive issues, including confusion and lack of coordination. Concussions may even result in loss of consciousness.
While most concussions are mild and result in short-term symptoms, some concussions can cause permanent damage.
Repeat concussions can also create a cumulative effect, resulting in long-term brain trauma. Failing to let the brain recover before experiencing another mild concussion may increase the risk of permanent damage.
Concussions are a major problem in contact sports, such as American football. About 3.8 million concussions occur per year in the US due to sports-related injuries.
How Does Concussion Affect the Brain?
Concussions are typically the result of a sudden blow to the head or body, such as from a trip and fall or sports injury. The force of impact causes the brain to jolt inside the skull. This may also occur due to sudden acceleration or deceleration, such as during a car accident.
The sudden movement of the brain can stretch and damage brain cells, including the white matter found in the deeper tissues of the brain.
Head trauma may harm brain cells responsible for different processes. Depending on the location of the damage, you may be more prone to certain symptoms, such as light sensitivity or blurred vision.
Damage to the brain from a concussion may also cause inflammation, which can increase the risk of long-term effects, such as trouble concentrating and memory problems.
For most people, the effects on the brain subside within one or two days as it heals from the damage. If the symptoms last, it may be an indication that the person has suffered severe injury or inflammation.
Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of a Concussion
Recognizing the symptoms of concussion increases the chances of being able to receive proper treatment. Here is a closer look at how to detect the symptoms of a concussion in someone else and yourself.
Signs Someone Else Is Concussed
Signs to look for when someone else suffers a head injury include:
● Confusion
● Lose consciousness (even briefly),
● Short-term memory loss
● Slurred speech
● Changes in mood, behavior, or personality.
● Lack of coordination
Confusion is one of the most common signs that someone has suffered a concussion. After experiencing an injury, you may notice that the victim appears dazed and confused. They may have a blank stare or ask about what just happened.
Not remembering the events that led to the injury often indicates a concussion, as the trauma may cause short-term memory loss.
Asking questions and talking to the victim can help you detect cognitive symptoms, such as confusion and memory problems. They may struggle to answer your questions, speak with slurred speech, or give you a blank stare.
You can also look for physical signs, such as a lack of coordination. The victim may stumble when attempting to walk or struggle to hold or use certain objects.
For mild concussions, the symptoms may pass within a few minutes. Continue to monitor the condition of the victim. If the symptoms do not pass or worsen, visit a hospital as soon as possible.
Signs You Have a Concussion
If you have suffered a concussion, you may detect some of the signs discussed, such as confusion and a lack of coordination. However, some symptoms are more difficult for others to detect, such as:
● Headache
● Nausea and vomiting
● Light sensitivity
● Double or blurry vision
● Difficulty concentrating
● Memory issues
Headaches are a common sign of concussion. Over 30% of people with moderate to severe brain injuries report experiencing headaches.
Along with a headache, you may start to feel nauseated and even vomit. Head injuries can disrupt the flow of blood to the brain, which can lead to nausea, headaches, and cognitive issues.
Light sensitivity is another potential symptom of concussion. It occurs due to damage to the thalamus, which is responsible for filtering visual information before sending it to the brain. You may need to shield your eyes when entering a bright room or stepping outside.
Difficulty concentrating may also indicate that you suffered from a concussion. If you struggle to focus on topics or pay attention to others when they speak, you may be suffering the lingering effects of the injury. Get help immediately, as these are serious symptoms.
The Best Practices for Recovery
You should see a doctor after a head injury, especially if you notice any of the symptoms discussed. However, there are also steps that you can take to aid with recovery.
Get Plenty of Rest
Rest is the best way to let your head heal from a concussion, as you want to avoid putting any unnecessary stress on your brain. Most people start feeling better within one to two days. However, it can take up to two weeks to fully recover.
About 80% of concussions are fully healed within seven to fourteen days (about two weeks). Rest for the first few days and continue to take it easy for the next couple of weeks or until the symptoms have completely disappeared.
Doctors typically recommend both physical and mental rest for at least the first couple of days. Along with limiting your physical activities, you should avoid tasks that require complex thinking or mental concentration.
Perform Lighter Workouts
Gradually start adding more activities to your routine as the symptoms improve. You can typically perform light physical activity, such as light workouts, after the first few days. This may include light cycling or jogging.
Light exercise can help improve cardiovascular health and boost cognitive performance, which can help with the symptoms of a concussion.
Avoid physical activities that include a risk of head injury. For example, you should avoid sports activities until you are fully recovered.
If you must work out in the gym, perform low-pressure exercises, and limit your weights, repetitions, and sets. Pushing yourself too far may put a strain on muscles in the neck and brain, which can impact your recovery and worsen some of the symptoms of concussion.
Your doctor may also provide recommendations when it comes to physical activity, such as specific types of exercises to perform or when to resume your normal routine.
Eat Healthier Food
Your brain needs a lot of energy to function properly, which is why food is an important part of your recovery. Eating foods that contain zinc, magnesium, protein, and antioxidants may counter some of the effects of a concussion and help you recover faster.
Traumatic brain injuries can cause zinc and magnesium levels in your brain to drop, which can lead to headaches and cognitive issues. Your brain also needs protein to help neurons communicate properly, as protein contains essential amino acids.
Antioxidants help reduce inflammation and promote the production of growth proteins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for the health of neurons.
Eating more dark, leafy greens and healthy sources of protein can help you get the nutrients your brain needs for a speedier recovery. Fatty fish and eggs offer protein and beneficial vitamins.
Try to cut back on processed foods and sugary drinks. Saturated fats and excess sugar may reduce the neuroplasticity of your brain, which impacts your brain’s ability to grow and recover from injury. Fats and sugar also limit the production of BDNF.
Perform Cognitive Exercises
Along with light workouts, you should gradually include light cognitive exercises in your daily routine. Playing brain games may speed up recovery by exercising areas of the brain suffering from inflammation.
Using your brain also helps increase your brain’s neuroplasticity. You may heal your brain faster while improving your cognitive skills. Here are a few options for exercising your brain:
● Crossword puzzles
● Jigsaw puzzles
● Logic puzzles
● Card games
● Board games
Performing cognitive exercises may aid your recovery, but you should avoid overdoing it. As with your physical activities, you want to gradually increase your mental activities to avoid straining yourself.
Last Thoughts on the Effects of Concussions
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is suddenly shaken inside the skull, typically due to an accident.
If you or someone you know has recently suffered a head injury, you should pay attention to the signs of a concussion. The impact on the brain can lead to a wide range of cognitive issues, including confusion and lack of coordination.
Physical and mental rest are important, especially during the first few days following the injury. However, you should gradually add light physical and mental activities to work the body and mind and promote a faster recovery.
Your diet also plays a role in your recovery, as antioxidants, protein, magnesium, and zinc can help the brain heal faster.
If the symptoms last or grow severe, do not hesitate to visit a doctor or an emergency room.
