Treating a concussion

It is often recommended to stay in hospital for observation for 24 hours after a concussion. That is mainly a preventive measure: If a rare complication like hemorrhage does develop, it can be detected and treated quickly.

It is usually possible to go home if no complications develop during those 24 hours. Doctors recommend not to be at home alone in the first few days.

If the symptoms do not get better within one month of the injury, or even get worse, it is important to go to hospital and find the root cause.

There are usually two phases to recovery:

• Rest (up to two days after injury): You should rest and get plenty of sleep in the first days after injury. Complete bed rest isn’t necessary, but it is important to avoid physical and mental strain. That also includes not using mobile phones and computers, and not watching TV.
• Gradual return to normal activities (up to one month after injury): It is a good idea to gradually return to activities after the short rest phase. Whether school, work, housework, or athletics – you can increase physical and mental exercises step by step. It is important to listen to your body: Take breaks if you develop symptoms or they get worse. Light exercise like walking, stretching or slow cycling are suitable forms of sports activities at first. Exercises where the head is only moved a little are then possible afterwards. Doctors recommend avoiding activities with a high risk of concussion at first, such as skating or skiing. It is also better to wait for the symptoms to go away completely before returning to contact sports like soccer or martial arts.

Medication can be taken in the short term to relieve acute symptoms like headache and nausea. Painkillers like paracetamol are available over the counter. Doctors can prescribe antiemetics to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

A few people might still have symptoms for several weeks after concussion. Possible symptoms include headaches, nausea, fatigue (and even chronic exhaustion), sleep problems, lack of motivation, anxiety, irritability, and problems with balance, concentration, and memory. Persistent symptoms may limit your daily activities and also affect family and close friends.

Possible ways to better cope with the symptoms include:

• Rest: Take regular breaks if you feel tired or have trouble concentrating.
• Avoiding things that might trigger the symptoms: Avoid or reduce certain activities, like not sitting at the computer for too long or listening to loud music.
• Relaxation techniques: Meditation can help you to manage stress better, for example.
• Structure in your everyday life: Make a conscious effort to use more structuring and planning in your day to help you stay organized. Daily or weekly plans might be suitable.

More persistent symptoms sometimes can’t be relieved with those kinds of changes. Various therapies like rehabilitation, physical therapy and psychological therapy might then be an option. It is best to talk to a doctor to find the best treatment for you. They can refer you to a specialist or a specialized clinic.

Some people also find the following treatments helpful:

• Physical therapy methods: These methods are used to treat persistent symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and neck pain. These can include light endurance training, and mobility and balance exercises.
• Psychotherapy methods: Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy are an option for treating problems like anxiety, irritability or listlessness.
• Interdisciplinary approaches: Rehabilitation and psychological methods are often combined to relieve more persistent symptoms following a concussion.