Protect Your Head

A concussion can occur after an impact to your head or a whiplash-type injury that results in your head and brain rapidly shaking back and forth. While they can happen during many different types of sports and activities, they are most common in high-contact sports, like football or boxing.

Symptoms of a concussion are not always obvious. Sometimes, a concussion can cause loss of consciousness, but this does not always happen. Some symptoms can also be delayed and appear several days after the injury.

The most common symptoms of a concussion include:

• Balance problems
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Difficulty speaking or communicating
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Nausea

It’s important to see a doctor if you think you have experienced a concussion. A specialty-trained sports medicine doctor will most likely perform a neurological examination or run tests to determine if you have suffered a concussion.

The treatment for a concussion is complete rest. This includes both physical and mental rest. Your doctor will provide you with guidelines to follow as well as what you should avoid doing during your recovery time. You may continue to experience symptoms for weeks or months after your concussion. Only once you have recovered and your doctor has given approval should you slowly start returning to your daily activities.

If you think you have suffered a concussion, schedule an appointment online with one of our sports medicine specialists at Desert Orthopaedic Center or call (702) 731-4088.