Concussions and the pain which follows from them can be some of the most difficult injuries to battle. Determining what kind of concussion pain management and pain relief is pertinent is vital to successfully recovering from that injury.
Here, then, is a general guideline to what a concussion is and how it can be caused, diagnosing a concussion from a variety of symptoms, how to treat a concussion and the related pain, and other such elements standard in concussion protocol. With any head injury it is vitally important that you see a physician who can correctly diagnose your injury.
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
To begin with, a concussion is an injury wherein there is sustained damage to the brain as the result of impact, often due to some sort of sudden trauma relating to brain hitting against the skull.
DIAGNOSING A CONCUSSION
With respect to diagnosing concussions and recognizing pain which may be associated with such an injury, you’ll want to look for:
- Dizziness, headaches, or a feeling of “pressure” in the head. Headaches can take on a variety of different forms, so you’ll want to distinguish between sharp or pounding pains which might be more indicative or another form of cranial pain or discomfort. If you find yourself having trouble keeping your balance, sit down—preferably somewhere with back and neck support—and seek pain management and medical help. Dizziness coupled with a lack of motor control or an inability to keep one’s balance can often be symptomatic of a concussion or another serious cranial injury.
- Concurrent with the dizziness which is common to concussions and concussion-related pain, nausea, double/blurry vision, and vomiting are three more symptoms to watch out for.
- Patients who have experienced a concussion likewise often find themselves struggling with extreme pain when confronted by light or noise. This can be due to a hyper-sensitivity these stimuli which is caused by a concussion, and will need time away from said stimuli in order to heal; if these conditions are not met, or the concussive injury is serious enough, these symptoms can linger for some time afterward.
- Lethargy, sluggishness, or an overall feeling of grogginess. Obviously there are many reasons which might explain a lack of energy, so these symptoms are more in addition to rather than a leading sign of a concussion.
- Confusion, an inability to concentrate, or memory problems. These are some of the most common problems associated with concussions, and should be treated with the utmost severity. Acute short-term memory loss or an inability to identify one’s present location are just two indications that you may have had a concussion or other serious cranial injury
TREATING CONCUSSIONS AND ASSOCIATED PAIN
Pain relief and pain management options can be tricky with regards to concussions given the nature of the injury. Because a concussion affects your brain in a manner in which a depressant or similar medication might be dangerous or adverse with regards to your health, you will want to speak with your doctor regarding any pain relief or management ills you are considering taking.
Avoid places of excessive sound or light. Be sure to get plenty of rest, and whenever possible, ensure that your head remains adequately supported.
Concussions are frequent in contact sports such as American football, football, hockey, etc. In the event that you as an athlete suffer a concussion, you should report the incident to your team’s trainer immediately. If you suspect yourself or another player to have sustained a concussive injury, report it to the team trainer—each port has its own concussion protocols for gauging the severity and pain of an injury. What’s more, trainers will be equipped with approved pain relief and management items.