Concussion.
What is it? What are the symptoms? And how can I recover from it?
Have you ever had a concussion playing American Football? The game is full of knocks, collisions, tackles and submissions so it’s no surprise the sport is one of those most closely connected with occurrences of concussion.
If you have endured a hard knock to the head (and I’m assuming since you’re here, you have) then what should you do? Read our guidelines below to help you identify your injury and take the right steps to recovery.
What is a concussion?
The NHS (a highly regarded source for this kind of information) clarifies a concussion as: “an injury to the brain caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. It usually only last for a few days but can extend to a few weeks and could even result in longer-lasting problems.”
What are the symptoms?
You may think concussion is all about knockout blows and seeing stars (think; boxer in the ring or Daffy Duck in Looney Tunes), but often concussion symptoms don’t reveal themselves immediately or even for a few days so it’s important to keep an eye out and do the right things in case you think you might have one.
Concussion Symptoms include:
If you have endured a hard knock to the head (and I’m assuming since you’re here, you have) then what should you do? Read our guidelines below to help you identify your injury and take the right steps to recovery.
What is a concussion?
The NHS (a highly regarded source for this kind of information) clarifies a concussion as: “an injury to the brain caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. It usually only last for a few days but can extend to a few weeks and could even result in longer-lasting problems.”
What are the symptoms?
You may think concussion is all about knockout blows and seeing stars (think; boxer in the ring or Daffy Duck in Looney Tunes), but often concussion symptoms don’t reveal themselves immediately or even for a few days so it’s important to keep an eye out and do the right things in case you think you might have one.
Concussion Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- A headache that isn’t relieved with painkillers
- Feeling or being sick
- Memory loss
- Lack of coordination
- Feeling dazed or confused
- Changes in vision
- Behavioural changes
What to do if you think you have concussion
If you have a minor injury you don’t need to get immediate medical advice but can remedy your condition at home with rest, icing the injury for short periods, avoid stress and take paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not use aspirin as this could cause your injury to bleed).
You should also avoid driving, working or playing contact sports until fully recovered, and, do not take drugs or drink until you are feeling better. Avoid taking sleeping pills unless under doctor’s advice.
If the symptoms mentioned above are more intense (you have been knocked out, you have problems with your memory, you have been vomiting or your headache won’t go away) you should get checked by a health professional at the hospital who can check for serious brain injury through a scan.
What should I eat to recover from concussion?
To help your brain recover after a concussion you can alter your diet to speed up the recovery process through foods containing high levels of flavonoids.
During a concussion the nerve tissues in your brain can be damaged and the balance of chemicals altered. To counter these effects, you want to consume foods that replenish nutrients lost in injury such as those that contain Omega-3 or stimulate the production of BDNF (Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) growth – foods containing high levels of flavonoids will do just this.
Good concussion foods:
- Blueberries
- Cranberries (more effective fresh rather than juice)
- Pecans/Walnuts
- Green Tea
- Olive Oil
- Broccoli
- Dark chocolate
- Fatty fish
For more information on these recovery foods read more at Flint Rehab.
