Most of us suffer a bump on the head due to injury at some point in our lives. Fortunately, the majority of these head injuries are not serious. Yet brain injuries can be very problematic. When a bump on the head or other injury results in a concussion, serious problems can result.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It is not simply a bruise or bump that shows on the outside; it involves damage to the brain inside the skull. A concussion can cause a variety of symptoms in the short term, as well as long-term effects on the health that are truly devastating.
Some of the signs typically associated with a concussion are symptoms of the injury to the brain. These may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion or disorientation, or possibly difficulties with balance. These or any other signs of changes in physiological function following brain injury should never be overlooked or ignored. Seek medical care immediately if you suspect a concussion. This is vitally important, because without proper care, concussions can be very dangerous.
Traumatic brain injuries that are not identified and supported by an experienced health care provider may result in short or long-term cognitive loss. Headaches may become chronic. Individuals who have suffered concussions may develop or experience depression, physical disabilities, or difficulties with learning. Early-onset dementia is another potentially devastating complication of a concussion.
When more than one injury to the brain occurs, undetected or improperly addressed damage may even result in death. Second Impact Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that may occur if a person experiences a second concussion before healing from a previous concussion has occurred. Brain swelling associated with Second Impact Syndrome is so potentially dangerous, it may be deadly. While it is a rare occurrence, Second Impact Syndrome can even occur following a mild concussion.
Post Concussion Syndrome is another potential problem that can have very serious effects on the lives of concussion patients. Instead of suffering with individual symptoms, the person experiences problems with thinking, emotional distress, plus physical injuries. These symptoms interact with and compound the individual’s problems. Instead of going away in time, symptoms may worsen.
Effective care for Post Concussion Syndrome will likely involve more than the typical therapies recommended by health care professionals. Medications for pain or other symptoms will not help the body’s systems and organs regain balance and improvements in function. Intervention that addresses the mind as well as the body, or that considers the patient “as a whole,” is more likely to help the individual feel better and also heal. Chiropractic neurology care involves a comprehensive approach. Interventions in the form of safe, natural therapies can often help patients struggling with ongoing health problems as the result of concussion.
Advanced lab testing and in-depth evaluations can assess the function of the various systems throughout the body as well as the brain. A full picture of how the brain is functioning and interacting with other systems reveals the causes of the individual’s specific health problems. It’s then possible to develop a customized therapy plan to properly support and best manage the person’s care.