Why You Should Never Ignore a Concussion

Studies show that almost one in four people in the United States have experienced a concussion in their lifetime, which can cause trauma to the brain. This type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen from a blow to your head or whiplash, an injury resulting from a force that causes your neck and head to violently move back and forth. Concussions usually don’t threaten your life, but your symptoms might need medical attention.

If you’ve suffered any kind of trauma to your head, you should schedule an appointment with our team of professionals at Neurology Consultants of Arizona in Scottsdale, led by board-certified neurologist Luay Shayya, MD. Our neurology services provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to successfully treat your condition.

Whether you experience a mild or severe concussion, Dr. Shayya can determine the severity of your injury and provide the appropriate plan to get you well. 

A concussion can have subtle symptoms, or it might cause unconsciousness. In either case, you should never “tough” it out. Here’s what you should know about concussions.

Signs of a concussion

Symptoms of your concussion can show up immediately, or they might not develop for hours or even months. 

After your injury, you might become:

• Disoriented
• Dizzy
• Sensitive to light
• Nauseous
• Fatigued 

You might also experience headaches, vomiting, sleep difficulties, and brain fog. Even though your concussion may be mild, its effects can be serious. 

If you ignore the symptoms, your condition could get worse. That’s why you need to see our team at Neurology Consultants of Arizona as soon as possible if you think you have a concussion.

Diagnosing a concussion

Our team evaluates you thoroughly to give you an accurate diagnosis. If you have a more serious injury, we may perform diagnostic tests, such as an MRI or CT scan to make sure you don’t have any bleeding or bruising in your brain. We may also request an electroencephalogram (EEG) to look at your brainwaves, a videonystagmography (VNG) to look at inner ear/balance function, and a transcranial doppler (TCD) ultrasound to evaluate blood flow in the brain.

Once we determine your diagnosis, we establish a treatment plan to help you recover and get well.

Recovering from a concussion

Symptoms from a concussion usually last 7-10 days. Common practices of recovery include reducing your exposure to bright lights, keeping your environment calm and quiet, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting. 

Most recoveries take 2-4 weeks. If you suffer from post-concussion syndrome, you might experience symptoms for more than six weeks.

We may recommend additional recovery methods that include taking anti-seizure medications, diuretics, and in severe cases, possible surgery. You can trust us for an accurate diagnosis and help to get you back to your normal, daily routine.

If you’ve suffered a blow to the head or experienced whiplash, call our office or schedule an appointment online today. Dr. Shayya can examine your condition, determine if you have a concussion, and develop a customized treatment plan for you.