Many of us have experienced concussions in our lifetime, whether it was from a fall or an impact on the head. It can be frustrating when you are trying to recover, and your friends want you back on their team, but concussion recovery does not happen overnight. The following five points outline some of the most essential information for concussion recovery:
Rest is essential!
Many people believe that they can return to their normal activities right away after a concussion, but rest is vital for concussion recovery. Rest does not mean complete isolation from the world and people around you; it means backing off on your usual tasks and allowing yourself to take a break until symptoms decrease. This can be difficult because we want to get back into our daily lives as soon as possible, but avoiding over-exerting ourselves will help us return sooner instead of later!
The RTP protocol should last up to 14 days after concussion
If an athlete has experienced a concussion, they should follow the “RTP” or Return To Play Protocol to regain their brain’s ability to handle concussion symptoms. This protocol can take up to 14 days, although in some cases, it might be needed for months or even years after the concussion has occurred.
Sleep aids recovery
Another significant step to concussion recovery is getting good enough, restful sleep. Being well-rested can help concussion symptoms go away much faster, and it will also keep your brain active to aid in concussion recovery by allowing neurons to process information better than they would if you were fatigued from lack of sleep. When recovering from a concussion, doctors recommend that patients do not return to normal activities too soon as this could cause serious problems such as re-injury or even death.
Sitting up straight after the injury.
After taking any blow to the head, we should always sit up slowly and carefully, so we don’t pass out or injure ourselves further because our balance has been thrown off due to concussion effects. If possible, try not leaning back against anything for support as this could cause an increase in concussion symptoms.
Forcing yourself to stay awake
Whether you are sleeping or trying to focus your eyes on something, it is important not to force yourself too much. This can be dangerous for concussion patients since being fatigued will only make the damage worse if we don’t have someone watching us at all times. If possible, try opening and closing your eyes slowly and taking deep breaths after a concussion injury so that your brain doesn’t feel like it has been shaken up too severely by the hit.
Concussion recovery is a complicated and lengthy process, but most concussion patients can recover with time. There are also many resources that concussion victims can use to help them along their journey.
