Clarifying Concussions: What Should I Do If I Get One?


known as mild traumatic brain injuries – are scary. The more they are studied, the scarier they become. Until recently, the conversation about concussions centered primarily on the sport of football, but alarming statistics once muted in the dis- cussion by lack of awareness are now getting the spotlight. For instance, more than twice the number of concussions were diagnosed last year compared to the number of new cases of diabetes; of those concussions, 39% could render the con- cussed more likely to have a catastrophic head injury leading to neurologic disabil- ity if coupled with multiple concussions. Though half of the reported concus- sions happen in youth sports (only an es- timated half of all concussions are actu- ally reported), the other half are due to common traumas that most experience throughout life, with prevalence by far the highest from ages 3-13, when balance, coordination, and strength are still being developed. Common symptoms starting immediately after until around two days following a concussion include brain fog, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, emo- tional symptoms (anxiety, depression, confusion, irritability, etc.), fatigue, head- aches, nausea/vomiting, and sleeping problems. For future reference, if you or a loved one experiences signs of a concussion, the following will walk you through the steps to ensure an optimal recovery:


A


Step 1: Pretend that you sprained your ankle or tweaked your back, and just rest. For the few hours following a suspected concussion, remain awake under supervi- sion and refrain from driving. Then, sleep for 2-3 hour periods if possible, having someone periodically wake you in order to ask basic questions that will help rule out a more significant brain injury. Rapid onset of more serious symptoms (severe headache, slurring, unconsciousness, re- peated vomiting, etc.) would be the cue to seek emergency medical care.


s the world has been made increas- ingly aware over the past several years, concussions – otherwise


Step 2: It takes 95 G's of force to cause


a concussion, but only 4 G's of force to injure the upper neck, making it impos- sible to suffer a concussion without also having an underlying neck injury. The upper neck is where the brainstem, which is responsible for coordinating your inter- nal functions, is located; the importance of having the upper neck evaluated by an Upper Cervical Practitioner far outweighs the lack of awareness on the subject. Have the upper neck issue corrected as soon as possible, as it otherwise becomes akin to having a pebble in the shoe on the side of a sprained ankle, only this pebble com- promises the hub of your nervous system. Then, be re-evaluated consistently for at least a few months.


Step 3: Just as walking on a sprained ankle is ill-advised, so too is a lot of stimulation (driving, exercise, school, screen-time, work, etc.); if you want your brain to heal, you have to give it time. For 3-4 days post-concussion, continue to stay home in a dimly lit space and avoid stimulation. Proceed to the next step once symptom-free. If, after 4-5 days, symptoms remain, go back to see the Upper Cervical Practitioner for a sooner re-evaluation.


Step 4: Simple mentally-stimulating


activity (reading, listening to low volume music, etc.) may resume for no more than about an hour throughout one entire day and, so long as symptoms do not reoccur, it is then OK to proceed to the next step.


Step 5: For half a day, return to school


or work, but get a ride and avoid stimula- tion beyond your standard, in-person task list. Students are advised to avoid tests and homework, recess, or gym class; adults should do no heavy lifting, operate danger- ous machinery, or perform manual labor. If symptoms arise during any step, return to the previous step; if consistently asymp- tomatic, proceed to the next step.


Step 6: Return to school or work for a


full day, being mindful to stay away from over-stimulating things like loud music or screen-time and over-stimulating environ-


ments that involve large crowds or critical thinking. Alert whomever it may concern of a need to take more frequent breaks and of an expectation for roughly two-thirds production in your normal workload.


Step 7: Take your time, but steadily


return to your normal activities of daily living, removing one above-suggested restriction per day (one day gym, next day full study regimen, for instance). The more the steps are rushed, the slower the healing process. Seek re-evaluation from an Upper Cervical Practitioner a week to ten days post-concussion.


Step 8: Get back to your normal rou- tine, beginning with driving, then your typical class or workload and, assuming you are still asymptomatic afterward, vig- orous exercise.


After symptoms subside, there is still about a month-long window within which another even small impact can do greater harm. For optimal healing, your brain requires normal blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow in combination with the cell tower of your internal network, the brain- stem, being able to properly regulate the nervous system's response to stimuli, hence the role that the Upper Cervical Practitioner plays in balancing and stabi- lizing your upper neck. If the above steps are followed im-


mediately, healing time is shorter and long-term affects can be minimized.


Sources: The CDC, The Headcase Com- pany, Upper Cervical Health Centers of America


Dr. Chad McIntyre owns and operates the Triad Upper Cervical Clinic in Kernersville, and his own health experiences have made him a staunch advocate for awareness about concussions, their short-and-long term aftermath, and the importance of Upper Cervical Care in aiding recovery from them. Visit triaduppercervical.com or call 336-992-2536 for more information. See ad on page 29.


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