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Hit your head? The first step is to determine whether you have any concussion symptoms.
Hit your head? The first step is to determine whether you have any concussion symptoms. (Photo: wildpixel/iStock)

How to Treat a Concussion

There鈥檚 no universal blueprint for treating a concussion. The protocol depends on the individual鈥檚 symptoms and medical history, and recovery times vary.

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Hit your head? The first step is to determine whether you have any concussion symptoms.
(Photo: wildpixel/iStock)

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Keep these points in mind, starting from the moment of the injury.

0-1 Hours

You hit your head. The first step is to determine whether you have any concussion symptoms鈥攕uch as disorientation, dizziness, or headache鈥攐r need emergency help. 鈥淲hen in doubt, sit it out,鈥 says Melinda Roalstad, former medical director for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and owner of , a concussion clinic in Park City, Utah. Even if you can get home on your own, tell somebody that you injured your head. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 in case your symptoms deteriorate,鈥 Roalstad says. If you lost consciousness or are vomiting, have someone drive you to the emergency room immediately.

1-12 Hours

If you have trouble processing information, like where you are or what you have to do that day, or experience nausea, blurred vision, or loss of balance, get checked out by a specialist. There鈥檚 a nationwide list at .

12-48 Hours

Maximize rest and minimize stimuli. Roalstad recommends limiting screen time, even on your phone, to ten minutes per hour, max. Your eyes are more susceptible to muscle strain from processing the pixelated light flicker, and you can wind up with intense headaches. Stay hydrated, eat protein-rich foods, and reevaluate your symptoms every 12 hours. If your nausea, balance, or headache doesn鈥檛 improve, consult a medical professional. Sleep is good. Alcohol is bad. Also, steer clear of ibuprofen and aspirin, which thin the blood. 鈥淚f by some chance you have a brain bleed, that can make it worse,鈥 says Ruben Echemendia, founder of the Sports Neuropsychology Society and cochair of the NHL鈥檚 concussion subcommittee.

3-10 Days

Gradually return to normal life as your symptoms permit, but keep prioritizing rest and remain vigilant. 鈥淢any patients feel worse 48 to 72 hours after the injury than they do 24 hours after,鈥 Echemendia says. Slow down your breathing for five minutes at a time. Start your return to physical activity with low-level cardio workouts like riding a stationary bike. Be patient as you ratchet up the intensity; you should be able to ride at 50 percent of your max effort for 30 minutes with no concussion symptoms before you increase your workload by 10 percent increments. 鈥淭here are some people who can get back to their sport in a week or ten days,鈥 Roalstad says. 鈥淔or others it takes four to six weeks.鈥 Or more: Echemendia says some patients need up to a year before returning to full speed without any problems.

1 Month Onward

Keep in mind that once you鈥檝e suffered a concussion, you may be more prone to another. If you experience even a slight recurrence of symptoms鈥攍ike dizziness or headaches鈥攃onsult a specialist. Roalstad recommends the page for more information.

Lead Photo: wildpixel/iStock

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