Concussion medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Usually concussion symptoms go away without treatment,[1] and no specific treatment exists.[2]

Medical Therapy

About one percent of people who receive treatment for MTBI need surgery for a brain lesion.[3] Traditionally, concussion sufferers are prescribed rest,[2] including plenty of sleep at night plus rest during the day. Health care providers recommend a gradual return to normal activities at a pace that does not cause symptoms to worsen. Education about symptoms, how to manage them, and their normal time course can lead to an improved outcome.

Medications may be prescribed to treat symptoms such as sleep problems and depression. Analgesics such as ibuprofen can be taken for the headaches that frequently occur after concussion. Concussed individuals are advised not to drink alcohol or take drugs that have not been approved by a doctor, as they could impede healing. Observation to monitor for worsening condition is an important part of treatment.[4] Health care providers recommend that those suffering from concussion return for further medical care and evaluation 24 to 72 hours after the concussive event if the symptoms worsen. Athletes, especially intercollegiate or professional athletes, are typically followed closely by team trainers during this period. But others may not have access to this level of health care and may be sent home with no medical person monitoring them unless the situation gets worse. Patients may be released from the hospital to the care of a trusted person with orders to return if they display worsening symptoms or those which might indicate an emergent condition, like unconsciousness or altered mental status; convulsions; severe, persistent headache; extremity weakness; vomiting; or new bleeding or deafness in either or both ears.[5] Repeated observation for the first 24 hours after concussion is recommended; however it is not known whether it is necessary to wake the patient up every few hours.

References

  1. Komaroff A (1999). The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 359. ISBN 0-684-84703-5.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Willer B, Leddy JJ (2006). "Management of concussion and post-concussion syndrome". Current Treatment Options in Neurology. 8 (5): 415–426. doi:10.1007/s11940-006-0031-9. ISSN 1534-3138. PMID 16901381.
  3. Borg J, Holm L, Cassidy JD; et al. (2004). "Diagnostic procedures in mild traumatic brain injury: Results of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury". Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 36 (Supplement 43): 61–75. doi:10.1080/16501960410023822. PMID 15083871.
  4. Anderson MK (2003). Fundamentals of Sports Injury Management. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 79. ISBN 0-7817-3272-7. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  5. "Information About NICE Clinical Guideline" (PDF). National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. September, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-26. Check date values in: |date= (help)