The myths people believe about concussions are often inaccurate. Many people think that if they have a concussion, they will be knocked out for hours or days at a time. The truth is that it only takes seconds to get knocked unconscious and the person usually wakes up quickly. In fact, in most cases, the person might not even realize they had a concussion because their symptoms may go away before any problems arise. There are many other misconceptions about what happens when someone has a concussion and we’ll delve into those below.
It is important to be aware of several fallacies regarding concussions, as they may cause incorrect concussion procedures and treatment.
Several common misconceptions about concussions exist due to popular media influence, which can lead to these ideas being perpetrated by those who should know better – including doctors.
This lack of accurate information could potentially have harmful consequences for those suffering from a concussion that leads them into making poor decisions on how to treat their condition or even getting examined at all. The following are 5 myths about concussions:
In the past, people thought that allowing someone with a concussion to sleep was harmful. They were afraid they would slip into a coma or lose consciousness without anybody noticing. Many felt it was critical to keep an eye on those who had concussions and wake them up frequently in order to avoid this from occurring because of their belief that sleeping while suffering from brain hemorrhage could result in lucid periods – which is an uncommon but potentially deadly condition caused by bleeding over time inside your skull where you are awake until fatal level pressure builds up around your brain stem.
Sleep is a highly effective way to heal after having had concussions. Not only does it provide mental rest, but sleep also allows the brain time to recover and repair itself.
Contrary to the belief of many, only about ten percent of concussions result in loss of consciousness. In fact, losing consciousness is not necessarily an indicator that a concussion was more severe than another one where it did not occur at all.
If you’ve experienced a head injury, don’t be surprised if it takes hours or even days for concussion symptoms to appear. According to the Washington Post, these later indications and symptoms include sensitivity to light and noise, irritability, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, as well as early signs like disorientation, headache, dizziness, and memory loss.
A concussion can be a scary thing to recover from, especially when you don’t know exactly what activity is okay and which ones aren’t. It’s advised that the first two or three days after sustaining one are spent relaxing in order for your brain cells to heal. However, it might not be easy knowing how much rest is enough without going overboard by resting too long! If at any point during recovery you have questions about whether an activity could exacerbate symptoms such as headaches or memory loss, speak with your doctor who will give specific advice based on your condition.
Despite the fact that it can be very devastating, brain damage has been shown to be treatable. The most important thing is getting help from a skilled professional after suffering an accident because those who don’t seek treatment are responsible for long-term harm caused by concussions. Within 3 weeks of the accident, you’ll feel 100 percent normal thanks to tailored treatments and rehabilitation programs!
Concussions are a serious matter. There is no denying the seriousness of concussions and the possible long-term effects they may cause, but it’s also important to remember how much research there has been on this topic in recent decades. The more you know about what goes into concussion diagnosis and treatment, the better equipped you will be if an instance ever occurs where someone you know needs help.
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
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