Not each of us will be able to distinguish a simple bruise from a concussion and quickly take the necessary actions. Providing first aid to the victim in case of a head injury is very important, because unpleasant consequences without timely measures can accompany a person for many years to come. In this article, we will look at how to recognize concussion, symptoms, and treatment.
What it is?
Mild concussion is characterized by a short-term malfunction of the central nervous system, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, all of which can be caused by serious bruises or head injuries.
Not a single person is safe from such an injury. It can be easily obtained in everyday conditions in the event of a fall or simple careless movement, in an accident, during sporting events, in hazardous working conditions, etc. Such situations are much more likely to occur in the cold period of time on the street, due to the fact that people slip on ice. Therefore, it is important to know what to do with a mild concussion, not only during the period of need, but simply for first aid.
With a concussion, cellular metabolism is disrupted, blood vessels are damaged, a gray matter malfunction occurs, and hemorrhage can develop.
Degrees
There are 3 main degrees of concussion. In the event of a head injury or if a slight concussion is suspected, all possible symptoms should be compared.
The stages of mild concussion can be characterized as follows:
- At the first degree, a slight fainting occurs, the condition returns to normal within 20-30 minutes.
- With the second degree of concussion, disorientation in space occurs for a while.
- At grade 3, loss of consciousness for a short period is observed. Usually the victim does not remember what happened to him.
Characteristic symptoms may not appear immediately, but after a day or a fairly long time, perhaps even a week.
With any manifestation of concussion of the victim, it is false to examine the doctor. An inexperienced person may mistake the concussion for a bruise, and this can aggravate the situation. Even the slightest trauma can cause a hematoma.
Characteristic symptoms
In the stage of mild concussion, the following symptoms may be observed:
- short-term loss of consciousness or blurred reason;
- headache;
- blood from the nose;
- a sharp increase in temperature;
- mental and motor inhibition;
- incoherent speech;
- disorientation in space;
- nausea, vomiting;
- fatigue;
- lack of appetite;
- poor concentration;
- sleep disturbance;
- weakness;
- cramps
- loss of coordination;
- pupil resizing;
- tinnitus.
The obvious external signs include pallor, sweating, bodily harm.
As a rule, after a short period of time, it becomes clear that the injury requires treatment. After the examination, the doctor reports whether treatment for a mild concussion is possible at home, or whether it is necessary to go to the hospital. In any case, specialist advice is necessary.
In addition to the main signs of mild concussion, some clinical manifestations can be observed:
- Eye pain in bright light.
- Visual impairment. The victim blurry sees the environment and people.
- Bifurcation of objects in the eyes.
- Cold hands.
- Short-term amnesia.
- Throbbing headache.
- Sleepy state.
In young children, signs such as:
- lethargy;
- unstable walking;
- tearfulness;
- fast fatiguability;
- indifference to games;
- confusion.
First aid
You need to know what to do with a mild concussion in order to quickly provide assistance to the victim:
- Call an ambulance immediately.
- If a person faints, he needs to be put to one side, bend his knees and put his hands under his head. The adoption of this provision is necessary because vomiting may begin.
- A solid object should be placed under your head.
- Treat and bandage wounds if necessary.
- Ensure a calm environment before the arrival of doctors.
- Do not leave the victim unattended in this condition.
If the victim is conscious, his condition should be alleviated as follows:
- Take off clothes that may make breathing difficult or interfere with the body (tie, belt, scarf, etc.);
- Put a cooling object or ice on your head
- Do not give water, this can cause nausea. In extreme cases, you can offer sweet cool tea.
- Transport to a medical facility.
Treatment
Treatment involves finding an adult patient in a hospital bed from 10 to 21 days, depending on the degree of injury. For a child, the treatment time is usually extended to 30 days. During a concussion, a person does not tolerate external stimuli, for example, light or a loud sound, so he should always be calm.
What medications for a mild concussion should be taken by the patient, the doctor determines, regardless of where the victim is being treated. The patient’s behavior often becomes different: he can be irritable and lethargic, can suffer from insomnia and quickly overwork, so antidepressants and sedatives are often prescribed. Also, the patient needs to recommend relaxation procedures, prescribe a massage course and prescribe a vitamin complex to restore brain cells. To eliminate the headache, tranquilizers are used. When prescribing a diet, sweet foods, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine are excluded.
With drug therapy, you will need to undergo a diagnosis. This is x-ray, MRI, ophthalmography, EEG.
Home treatment
Experienced professionals should monitor the condition of the victim, so it would be better if they put him in a hospital.
But if, after the examination, the doctors allowed the victim to be treated at home, it is necessary to protect him from devices that create noise (TV, radio, computer). Also, he is categorically not recommended to engage in reading and physical activity.
In this case, bed rest must be observed . Nothing should interfere with a relaxing rest and prolonged sleep. It is also recommended to take sedatives and herbal infusions with the permission of a doctor. In addition, it is necessary to follow a plant diet with a lack of salt.
After such a case, caution should not be neglected. First of all, you should avoid traumatic situations, take care of your head, put on a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter, observe safety measures in cars, in the house, arrange furniture in such a way that there is no way to hit or stumble.
Preparations
The main drugs for mild concussion in adults are drugs such as:
- Cinnarizine
- Piracetam
- "Pyriditol";
- Instenon
- Nicotinate
- Xanthinol;
- amino acids.
What medications for mild concussion are prescribed for children? Here are some of them:
- Diacarb
- Furosemide;
- "Panangin";
- Piracetam
- "Phenozepam" (for sedative purposes);
- "Sedalgin", "Baralgin" (painkillers);
- "Tserukal" (elimination of nausea);
- vitamins.
Pain medication:
- "Analgin";
- Pentalgin;
- Sedalgin;
- Ketorolac.
To restore the nervous system and support brain cell nutrition:
- "Glycine";
- Piracetam
- Nootropil;
- Pantogan.
To strengthen blood vessels and normalize metabolism:
- "Vasotropin";
- Cavinton
- Theonicol.
To reduce edema and intracranial pressure:
- Potassium preparations;
- Diacarb
- Furosemide;
- Arifon.
To eliminate dizziness and nausea:
- "Tanakan";
- "Platyphyllin";
- "Papaverine".
They help to cope with insomnia and relieve stress:
- valerian;
- Corvalol;
- motherwort.
Hypnotics:
Tranquilizers:
- "Adaptol";
- Phenazepam
- Elenium
- Nozepam.
And you should also take B vitamins.
ethnoscience
Along with taking the basic medicines prescribed by the doctor, they often resort to traditional medicine recipes. During rehabilitation, it is very useful to use aloe vera juice, which helps to restore normal condition. Ginseng, a string and a saberfish are also recommended for use. The pharmacy will be able to advise a set of medicinal herbs, as well as help a mild concussion. What to do with these fees? Brew and consume broth inside.
With light tremors, a special infusion helps. To do this, you need only 10 g of thyme. It should be poured with boiling water and brought to 95 degrees, but without boiling. Next, cool the grass and strain. You need to take 100 ml before meals for several months.
Pathology characteristic
With a concussion (ICD 10 code S06.0), the following distinguishing features may appear:
- weakness of the whole organism;
- pain in the eyes;
- change in breathing;
- heart rate variability;
- swelling;
- memory loss;
- sudden excitability;
- attack of sudden aggression;
- violation of logical thinking;
- sharp emotional changes.
In severe cases, concussion, bleeding from the ears and nose can be observed. Despite such a serious condition, concussion is the easiest injury with a closed head injury.
The consequences of such an injury are not comforting, it can cause severe complications and lead to hematoma, stroke, edema, depending on the severity. Here, in a mandatory case, the victim must be hospitalized. The severity of the concussion, symptoms and treatment should be clarified by medical personnel.
Recommendations
What to do with a light concussion during rehabilitation?
The main recommendation is to observe the daily routine. In order for health to recover as quickly as possible, it is necessary to observe bed rest for at least 5 days. You should take a sick leave for 12-14 days to fully return to normal.
Many are interested in whether it is possible to walk with a mild concussion? At first, of course, it is undesirable, and it is best to do this in the presence of loved ones, to be always in sight. Movement should be minimal, only to meet important needs.
You can listen to music, but not with headphones. Also, for the first time, entertainment that has a strong effect on the eyes should be abandoned. It is necessary to exclude a mobile phone, video games and watching TV.
During this period, it is strongly recommended not to be exposed to emotional stress. You can’t worry, be nervous, participate in long conversations, enter into conflicts.
The room should be dimmed and covered windows if sunlight interferes.
If all the recommendations are followed, the well-being will begin to improve in 2-3 days. Even if the victim returned to normal after a short time, he needs to rest in bed for at least 5-7 days.
The effects of a mild concussion
If you do not carry out full treatment, then the victim may be accompanied by regular depressive states, causeless anxiety, systematic headaches. He may suffer from decreased concentration and may complain of decreased memory.
With the slightest improvement in well-being, people can immediately begin their daily duties, some activity or return to work. It is important to understand that even a mild concussion can occur later, but already in the form of various physical ailments.
The consequences are fraught with sleep disturbance and complicated psycho-emotional states. Often reduced vision, there is a decrease in mental activity and many other negative disorders, accompanied by chronic irritability.
Now you know what to do with a light concussion, how to help yourself or another victim.