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If you or your child suffers a concussion, you can confidently turn to New England Institute for Neurology and Headache in Stamford, Connecticut. They operate a fully integrated clinical and research center, providing personalized care to children, teens, and adults who suffer a concussion. The team includes expert neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians specializing in concussion assessment and management. They also have a strategic partnership with the Concussion Center of Fairfield County, providing exceptional care to patients throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. Call or reach out online to request a saschme-day concussion consultation.
What causes a concussion?
A concussion occurs when a sudden impact forces your head to snap forward and backward, side to side, or in any direction.
Many people believe concussions are only caused by a blow to the head. However, an impact anywhere on your body that causes a whiplash injury can lead to a concussion.
The rapid movement of your head makes your brain hit the skull. The trauma can bruise your brain, damage nerves, and affect your memory and cognitive function, whether or not you have symptoms.
What symptoms does a concussion cause?
You seldom lose consciousness after a concussion, and if you do, you’re only unconscious for a short time.
Sometimes, concussion symptoms don’t appear right away. You or your child might not notice symptoms for hours, even days. When they appear, you can experience:
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Blurry or double-vision
A concussion can cause unexpected mental health symptoms, like anxiety, depression, sadness, and irritability.
How is a concussion treated?
Protecting your brain’s health by seeking medical care right away (within 72 hours of the injury) is critical.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, your brain is highly vulnerable right after a concussion. It can easily suffer another injury if you stay active. A second concussion could cause permanent brain damage.
Your provider completes a thorough concussion evaluation, including reviewing your symptoms and doing cognitive function testing and a neuropsychiatric assessment.
They create treatment plans that support brain healing and allow the fastest, safest return to school, sports, or work.
After giving your brain time to heal, your provider could recommend concussion rehabilitation, including:
- Behavioral therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Vestibular rehabilitation
- Massage therapy
These treatments restore optimal brain and body health and prevent long-term concussion symptoms.
Is a baseline assessment necessary?
You should consider a baseline cognitive assessment if you or your child are involved in activities that increase your risk of a concussion.
A baseline assessment means that your provider does computerized cognitive testing while you’re healthy. If you have a concussion, they can determine the extent of your injuries by comparing the baseline assessment to the results of an assessment after you’ve suffered a concussion.
Call New England Institute for Neurology and Headache right away or use online booking to request a same- or next-day concussion consultation.