Concussions Explained: Symptoms, Recovery, and When to Seek NeuroRehab Care

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can happen when you hit your head. These brain injuries might only last for a short time, but the care you receive in the days and weeks after getting one can make a major difference in your brain’s healing. 

Our multidisciplinary team at Delaware NeuroRehab provides comprehensive care as you heal and recover from a concussion. At our offices in Dover, Lewes, and Newark, Delaware, we specialize in individualized neurorehabilitation that meets your needs.  

Starting with an in-depth evaluation that includes balance assessment tools and quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG), our Delaware NeuroRehab team can identify a concussion and learn the level of care you need. 

Here’s everything you should know about concussions and the care that might follow:

Concussion signs and symptoms

Concussion symptoms may or may not start immediately after your injury. In some cases, they appear hours or days later. They can affect how you feel, how you think, and your sleep patterns. 

Some of the most common concussion signs and symptoms include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Double vision
• Blurry vision
• Ear ringing
• Trouble walking
• Fatigue
• Sound or light sensitivity
• Confusion
• Short-term memory loss
• Sleeping more or less than you usually do

In some cases, a concussion can involve loss of consciousness. If you were awake and remember getting the injury, a concussion is still possible. They occur when your brain cells and blood vessels are jerked and twisted inside your skull. 

Get emergency medical care if the concussion involves:  

• Seizure 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Severe headache 
• Severe confusion 

What to do if you think you have a concussion

Always take a possible concussion seriously and seek care right away, even if you’re not 100% certain a concussion has happened. Take the following steps in the hours and days after an initial head injury:

• Resting for a few days
• Avoiding television, video games, reading, and using your phone
• Avoiding driving and travel
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Returning to your regular routine slowly
• Getting more rest if symptoms return
• Taking a few days off work or school

Often, these steps are enough to let the brain heal itself. In many cases, concussions don’t cause noticeable lasting effects.

When to seek neurorehabilitation

Our team at Delaware NeuroRehab encourages you to consult us about neurorehabilitation for a concussion if your concussion symptoms don’t improve after 2-3 weeks of rest and limited activity. 

It’s also important to let us know if the symptoms seem to get worse, or if they go away and return later. 

Post-concussion syndrome occurs when concussions take a long time to heal or have long-lasting effects. Individualized neurorehabilitation can address the long-lasting effects of post-concussion syndrome, including poor balance, vision problems, and memory loss. 

Get in touch

Our Delaware NeuroRehab team can evaluate you to determine if you have a concussion and target specific parts of the brain that may be involved. Call Delaware NeuroRehab or request an appointment online for concussion rehabilitation today.