Concussions are something that no one hopes they have to experience, but unfortunately they do happen no matter how many precautions we take. At TryMunity we have a few suggestions and steps that you can take if you ever do suffer from a concussion so that you can get back on your feet and back in good health as quickly as possible.

Ice

The very first thing that you should do is use ice to keep the swelling down. We recommend that you not apply ice directly to your scalp, as the cold can potentially damage your skin. It’s better that you wrap the ice up in a towel before applying it to the injury. Use the ice every two hours and leave it there anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.

Medication

It’s also best that you go to a doctor if you think that you might have suffered from a concussion. Ask if it would be okay for you to take paracetamol, which is a painkiller that you’ll more than likely be able to get without a prescription. It’s best that you stay away from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as aspirin and ibuprofen since these can lead to bleeding from your injury.

Rest

You’ll also want to get plenty of rest and avoid as much stress as you can. Keep away from alcohol and recreational drugs. Take time off from work or school if you feel it’s necessary and only return when you have made a complete recovery. We also recommend that you refrain from operating a motor vehicle or any type of heavy machinery until you’re feeling 100 percent again.

Observation

If you can, try to have someone watch over you for the first 48 hours after your concussion in case your health takes a turn for the worse. Serious follow-up symptoms include:

• Loss of balance
• Vomiting
• Chronic headaches
• Mental confusion

For more information about concussions and traumatic brain injuries, we encourage you to join the TryMunity community today.