A Review of Concussion Research
Having a concussion can be a very painful experience, but it can be easily treated and prevented. There are many different treatments available, including acupuncture, which can help patients to relieve their pain.
Acute phase
During the acute phase of concussion, many symptoms may be present including repeated nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and weakness in the arms and legs. These symptoms may last a few days or weeks. During this period, patients may also use an icepack on their heads or take pain medication. Medications can be helpful in the acute phase, but they may also interfere with the healing process.
Although the majority of concussions resolve in a few days, some patients may experience symptoms for weeks or months. These symptoms may include memory loss, headaches, fatigue, eye movement disorders, and mood changes.
Sleep is important during the acute phase of concussion. One study found that compared to healthy individuals, concussed patients experienced less sleep efficiency and shorter sleep duration. However, another study showed no significant differences between concussed and non-concussed participants.
One study examined the effect of acute concussion on heart rate variability (HRV) and found that the acute phase of concussion reduced HRV variability. However, no study used a control group for the acute phase of concussion. This study is the first to examine the effect of acute concussion on BRS dynamics. Identifying the effects of concussion on BPV is an important step toward developing a return-to-play protocol.
While research in the acute phase is limited, some preliminary findings suggest that sedative medications may be beneficial. Stimulants may also be beneficial. However, sedative effects can delay the healing process and may cloud the clinical picture.
Medications are not the primary focus of postconcussion therapy. Instead, vestibular therapy is a common treatment. It involves head exercises, trunk exercises, and visual and oculomotor therapy to retrain target fixation. These exercises can also strengthen reciprocal balance mechanisms.
In addition to physical rest, a patient with a concussion needs mental rest. Avoiding distracting activities can help with this process. If symptoms worsen, the patient should be seen by a physician. The patient should also avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours. In some cases, medical leave or a 504 plan may be required.
It is important to avoid returning to activity the same day the injury occurred. This is important because a dangerous blood clot can form in the brain. The patient should also be removed from the area where the injury occurred.
Chronic phase
Managing concussions is a challenge. While most patients recover within two weeks, some patients exhibit symptoms for months or even years after the initial injury. As such, clinicians have to decide whether the symptoms are caused by the injury itself or by an underlying pre-existing condition. For example, some athletes develop persistent concussion symptoms and may be at risk for developing post-concussion syndrome, a chronic condition associated with a mild traumatic brain injury.
A recent systematic review found that poor sleep quality was associated with symptoms six months to four years after an injury. The same study found that higher levels of daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality were associated with worse DVA scores. The researchers suggest that these results suggest that poor sleep may be a contributor to the ills of post-concussion syndrome.
The best way to answer this question is to perform a thorough review of the current literature on treatment, recovery, and prevention. This includes a review of the most recent and promising research on the subject. The resulting article provides an evaluation of the most important features of the concussion literature, the most relevant treatment strategies, and the best clinical trial designs.
As the study authors point out, most of the available literature on chronic concussion recovery is focused on the acute phase. As such, there are very few studies focused on the long-term prognosis for concussed patients. However, studies of post-concussion patients are not as numerous. These studies focus on chronic symptoms and the corresponding cognitive and emotional sequelae. A small subset of patients exhibit persistent symptoms and may benefit from more advanced forms of treatment.
In the pharmacology world, one of the most promising approaches is the application of anti-depressants, which may improve patients’ quality of life and decrease the likelihood of re-injury. The study was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Another promising approach is aerobic exercise. Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise increases brain blood flow, thereby improving cognitive function and reducing mental fatigue. A small study has also shown that sub-threshold aerobic exercise is effective in improving patients’ cognition and mood, compared to a placebo.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the concussion, treatment of concussion involves a multidisciplinary approach. It includes physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation. In addition, psychological therapy may be included in management.
In mild to moderate concussions, the patient may be able to rest and take over-the-counter pain medications for headaches. If symptoms persist, the patient may be referred to a neurologist. If the concussion is severe, the patient may be hospitalized. The patient may also need to take prescription medication to treat symptoms.
Physical therapy can be effective at any stage of concussion recovery. However, it is important to follow a gradual graded exercise program. This should be performed under close medical supervision and should not exacerbate symptoms.
In addition, physical therapists can help patients with balance problems. Vision system dysfunction can also be treated. This is because concussions can alter the way that the brain processes information. This can lead to dizziness, vertigo, and other symptoms.
Physical therapists can also provide exercises to help the vestibular system function. Vestibular dysfunction can lead to problems with balance, vision, and coordination. These symptoms can occur for weeks or months after the concussion.
Cognitive rehabilitation is also beneficial for patients with concussions. This form of therapy is evidence-based and teaches patients concrete skills to help them cope with difficulties. This form of therapy may help patients with concussion return to school and work. It can also help patients deal with day-to-day tasks such as managing conversations.
A team approach may include neurologists, physical therapists, vision therapists, and speech therapists. A physician may order an MRI to rule out organic brain pathology.
The patient should also be monitored closely. They may need to avoid activities that cause distraction or prolonged concentration. The patient should be monitored for symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.
The patient should also be monitored for depression and anxiety. This is because multiple brain injuries can lead to progressive mental impairment. This may lead to learning disabilities. This may require homeschooling or academic accommodations.
Patients with concussions should avoid activities that lead to distraction. This is because the brain works harder to process information.
Prevention
Increasing public awareness of the potential long-term effects of head impacts on youth has led to increased research into concussion prevention. Research has focused primarily on concussion prevention at the high school and collegiate levels, but there is a need for research to extend this work to youth sports levels. The goal of this review is to assess the science of prevention of contact sports-related concussions.
A concussion is one of the leading causes of sports injuries, accounting for 15 percent of all sports injuries among high school athletes. The sports most at risk are contact sports, including American Football, hockey, and wrestling.
Athletes who suffer a concussion often experience negative symptoms that persist for days to months. While these symptoms are often not life-threatening, they can interfere with an athlete’s performance. A prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent an athlete from missing entire seasons. This type of intervention can also reduce morbidity and stress on the health system.
Aside from addressing the medical and physical aspects of concussion, concussion prevention should also address the social environment. This includes the perceptions of youth athletes, parents, and coaches about concussions. Using theory-driven interventions can promote sustainable culture change. These interventions are designed to change the underlying causes of risk behaviors in sports and may include recruiting administrators, coaches, parents, and other influential individuals.
Interventions have been designed to increase awareness of concussion, increase knowledge of concussion symptoms, and develop secondary and tertiary prevention strategies. Concussion-focused interventions are designed to promote a culture of care-seeking. They also increase knowledge about management strategies to manage concussions.
Interventions must target key youth behaviors and attitudes that contribute to the risk of concussion. Interventions should also target the social environment, including social equity concerns. Concussion prevention interventions must be capable of affecting change at the environmental and legislative levels.
Research has found that sport-related concussion affects approximately four million people in the United States every year. There is a need for research to develop innovative ways to prevent concussions in youth sports. The best opportunity to reduce the overall injury burden lies in injury prevention.
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