- Treatment for cerebral concussion
- Sequelae of cerebral concussion
- Symptoms of cerebral concussion
- When to go to the doctor
Cerebral concussion is an injury that affects all areas of the brain and temporarily changes its normal functions, such as memory, concentration or balance, for example.
Generally, cerebral concussion is more frequent after more serious traumas, such as traffic accidents, but it can also occur due to falls or blows to the head due to contact sports. In this way, even light blows to the head can cause a small brain concussion.
However, all cerebral concussions cause minor lesions in the brain and, therefore, if they happen repeatedly or if they are very serious, they can cause the development of sequelae such as epilepsy or memory loss.
Cerebral concussion can also be accompanied by a contusion, which is a more serious injury and can cause bleeding and swelling of the brain, especially after serious traffic accidents or falls higher than the height itself. Learn more: Cerebral contusion.
Treatment for cerebral concussion
Treatment for cerebral concussion should be guided by a neurologist, since it is necessary to assess the severity of the injury. Thus, when the symptoms are mild and the concussion is small, only absolute rest can be recommended, avoiding work or other activities such as:
- Do mental exercises that require a lot of concentration, such as making calculations; watching television, using the computer or playing video games; reading or writing.
These activities should be avoided until symptoms subside or until the doctor's recommendation, and should be added gradually to daily activities.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend the use of pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve headaches. However, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin should be avoided, as they increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
In the most severe cases, in which serious brain injuries appear, such as memory loss or coma, for example, it is necessary to stay in the hospital for at least 1 week to maintain a constant evaluation of the patient and to make treatment with drugs directly on the vein.
Sequelae of cerebral concussion
The sequelae of cerebral concussion depend on the severity of the brain injury, but the most frequent is that the patient does not present any sequelae after treatment. However, in the most severe cases, sequelae such as epilepsy, frequent dizziness, constant headache, dizziness or memory loss, may arise.
The sequelae of cerebral concussion may decrease over time or require treatment to be controlled.
Symptoms of cerebral concussion
The main symptoms of cerebral concussion include:
- Constant headache; Temporary memory loss; Dizziness and confusion; Nausea and vomiting; Slow or disturbed speech; Excessive tiredness; Excessive sensitivity to light; Difficulty falling asleep.
These symptoms appear after a trauma such as a fall, a blow to the head or a traffic accident, however, they can be mild and, therefore, are often not related to the trauma, disappearing in a few days without needing treatment.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the emergency room immediately when:
- Concussion occurs in a child; Vomiting occurs immediately after the trauma; Fainting occurs; Headache appears that worsens over time; Difficulty thinking or concentrating.
These are the most serious symptoms that should be evaluated as soon as possible by a doctor, however, it is always recommended to go to the hospital after a head trauma whenever the symptoms take more than 2 days to disappear.
