Overview
You have suffered a concussion, for example as a result of an accident, a fall or a slap your head. You can go home from the doctor. In the video you can see the most important tips and information.
You can also read on this page:
- what is a concussion,
- what may be bothering you,
- tips for home,
- how to build up your activities,
- for which complaints you should contact your doctor or general practitioner.
What is a concussion?
The medical term for concussion is mild traumatic head-brain injury. at a
concussion, the brain is literally shaken back and forth for a short time.
You may have been unconscious for a while and you may not be able to remember everything. Usually the memories come back quickly until just before the accident.
But it may be that you cannot remember anything from the period after the accident. We call this post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). Because the brain doesn’t store information during this time, these memories usually don’t come back. There is therefore no point in continuing to search for these memories.
Complaints
Complaints as a result of brain injury can last for several weeks to months.
In most cases, they just pass. After six months, most people with a concussion no longer have any residual symptoms. Although a concussion is a relatively harmless condition, there are exceptional cases where dangerous complications occur during the first 24 hours. These days, doctors are able to accurately predict which patients will have these complications. If you are allowed to go home from the attending physician, you can:
assume that the risk of such a complication is virtually excluded.
In the first days or weeks, many people suffer from the consequences. This is normal and usually nothing to worry about. Common complaints are:
- headache
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- memory loss
- concentration problems
- slower to process information
- fatigue
- you get irritated faster
- ringing in the ears
- hypersensitive to light and sound
Pay attention!
In the first days or weeks after the concussion, contact your doctor immediately if your situation deteriorates rapidly. This concerns complaints such as:
- significant increase in headache
- repeated vomiting
- confusion
- drowsiness (difficult to wake up)
At-home tips
Here are some general information tips during the first days after the concussion to prevent the complaints from worsening:
- Take it easy. It’s not good to stay in bed all day but you should rest regularly.
- Slowly start reducing the rest moments, so yo can be fully on your feet within a few days and you can start work again.
- Watching television, computer and gaming is not a problem, but limit this
- Do not drink alcohol. It aggravates the symptoms and delays recovery.
- Do not take aspirin.
- You can take paracetamol for pain, up to 1000 milligrams four times a day, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Attenion!
These are general tips. Your doctor may also have given you personal advice. It
It is important that you follow that personal advice, because everyone is different.
Start back up again slowly
Even if you still have some complaints, it can’t hurt to resume work. Make a plan with your employer and the company doctor to schedule your tasks and hours acordingly and increase these slowly.
It is possible that you will have a relapse if you work more hours or perform hard labor. Don’t let this discourage. Usually it will go better soon after a relapse.
It is not illegal by law to drive. The responsibility for this rests with you.
You can exercise as soon as you feel that you are able. Just don’t do sports that involve
Risks of another blow to the head such as football, hockey or boxing.
After six months
Almost everyone who has had a concussion completely recovers after six months,.In a small group of patients, complaints c last longer. For example:
Physical complaints
- headache
- hypersensitive to light/sound
- dizziness, problem with balance problems
- tiredness
- sleeping problems
- decreased sense of smell or taste
Problems with behavior and emotions
- irritability
- impulsiveness
- unstable and prone to mood swings
- lack of initiative
Problems with thinking
- attention and concentration problems
- memory problems
- problems planning and performing activities
Attention!
If you still suffer from these complaints after six months, it is important to contact your doctor again. Together you can then map out the complaints and discuss possible follow-up treatments, for example to learn to deal with your complaints better.
Your GP may refer you to a neurologist. Sometimes complaints arise a few years later that have to do with the past brain injury. Therefore, always report to a doctor that you have ever had a concussion.
More information?
You can always submit questions about pain medication to your doctor or to the doctor at the outpatient clinic.
