If you have any reason to believe that you suffered a concussion, such as after a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall, you should immediately seek medical attention. Assuming that you can recover on your own is a mistake, especially since you don’t know the extent of your injury.
The primary treatment for a concussion is rest. However, your doctor may have a variety of additional suggestions for you.
It’s important to note that concussion symptoms typically last for one to two weeks. This means that you need to follow the direction of your medical team for at least this long.
Although no two people are the same, here is some general concussion treatment advice:
- Get enough sleep at night.
- Get enough rest during the day.
- Avoid visual stimulation, such as by watching television or playing video games.
- Use pain relievers as prescribed by your doctor and as necessary.
- Don’t return to work or school if your doctor advises against it.
- Don’t participate in any physically or mentally strenuous activities
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes during your recovery.
- Avoid any tiring activities, such as cleaning your home, exercising or even babysitting.
A concussion is not the most serious brain injury, but symptoms can drag on if you don’t treat them in the appropriate manner immediately following your accident.
Once you receive have begun treatment, you should revisit your accident to better understand what went wrong. Not only can this help you avoid trouble again in the future, but it will also allow you to better understand your legal rights and how to hold the negligent party responsible.