If you think you’ve had a concussion, you should take it very seriously. The best thing you can do is to assume you have one to stay safe. Then, of course, you should seek medical attention immediately to know for sure. In the meantime, you can take some measures to speed up your recovery and prevent further injury. Here are some crucial steps to take if you think you have a concussion.
Seek Medical Attention
The first step you should take is to go to the emergency room or doctor’s office. Seeking medical attention should be your top priority after you suffer a head injury of any kind. A doctor will be able to assess you and determine if you have a concussion or not. That’s the best way to know for sure. They’ll also provide you with treatment options and make sure you didn’t suffer any other underlying damage.
However, it’s not a good idea to drive right after you sustain a head injury. That’s because the damage could have slowed your reaction time. To stay safe, avoid getting behind the wheel for a total of 24 hours after your accident. If you decide to go to the hospital, have a friend or family member drive you.
Don’t Take Pain Relievers
The pain from the head injury may be great, but you shouldn’t immediately take anything for it. That’s because aspirin and ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding. They also mask your pain instead of relieving it, which means the pain can get worse when the medication wears off.
Get Lots of Rest
Your brain needs rest to heal, even if you don’t have a concussion. You should get as much rest as possible, so don’t strain your brain with cognitive exercises. Don’t engage in any mental activities such as reading, writing, or working. Either relax on the sofa or take a nap to recover. Your brain will heal while you sleep, so it’s safe to nap after sustaining a concussion.
Rule Out Whiplash
If your neck hurts more than your head, then you may have whiplash instead of a concussion. You can get whiplash from a car accident or any type of head or neck injury. If you’ve got whiplash instead of a concussion, then you need to focus on healing your neck instead of your head.
Those are our steps to take if you think you have a concussion. We hope this guide has helped you decide what to do after suffering a head injury.
