Healing From A Brain Injury/Concussion
You should know the signs of a concussion/brain injury. But it’s equally important to know how to proceed afterwards. Obviously, getting examined quickly by a doctor in the Tampa Bay area immediately is key. Below are recovery tips from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center:
Things That Improve Healing
- Maximize downtime/rest during the day
- Get plenty of sleep at night
- Protect yourself from another concussion: avoid contact sports, combatives, etc
- Let others know that you’ve had a concussion so they can watch out for you
- Return immediately to your medical provider if you’re feeling worse or experiencing any of the warning signs*
Things That Impair Healing
- Another concussion before healing from the first one
- Alcohol and drug use
- Inadequate sleep (made worse by caffeine or “energy-enhancing” products)
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter pain medications unless instructed by your doctor
- Sleeping aids and sedatives unless instructed by your doctor
