Concussion Management

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a temporary traumatic brain injury that most often occurs from a blow to the head. Although, you can also develop a concussion from violent shaking. Athletes who engage in contact sports, such as football, are most at risk of developing a concussion.

Concussions are a serious health concern, but if you’ve experienced a concussion, you can expect a full recovery with proper medical care from the experts at Ross Medical Group.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

You may have a difficult time identifying that your symptoms are related to a concussion. They can be subtle and may develop over time.

Common symptoms of a concussion include:

• Headache
• Loss of memory surrounding the traumatic event
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Feeling dazed or foggy

Loss of consciousness is also a sign of a concussion, but not everyone with a concussion loses consciousness.

Other symptoms of a concussion may occur several hours or even days after you’ve hit your head, such as irritability, lack of concentration, or sleep problems.

If you’ve experienced a head injury, you should call Ross Medical Group to set up an evaluation with Dr. Ross. Without proper treatment, your concussion can lead to other health issues, such as post-concussional headaches or vertigo.

What can I expect from concussion evaluation and management?

Concussion testing is a comprehensive examination that evaluates the effects of your injury on brain function. Dr. Ross’s examination includes neuropsychological and vestibulo-ocular testing.

During your test, Dr. Ross evaluates:

• Vision and hearing
• Balance and coordination
• Strength
• Reflexes
• Memory and concentration
• Recall

Dr. Ross may also recommend imaging scans to look for swelling or bleeding in the brain. Once he’s gathered the information from your evaluation, Dr. Ross develops your concussion management plan.

What is concussion management?

Concussion management is the treatment plan Dr. Ross develops to help you heal from your concussion. Rest is usually the most important treatment for your concussion, which includes physical and mental rest. Dr. Ross provides very specific guidelines and what you can and can’t do while you recover from your concussion, which may include no practice or games and limiting screen time.

As your symptoms improve, you may be able to slowly increase your activities, as directed by Dr. Ross, until you’re back to doing the things you enjoy.

A concussion is a serious brain injury that requires medical care for a full recovery. For concussion evaluation and management, call Ross Medical Group today or book an appointment online.