Treatment for Concussions in Leesburg and Dulles, VA
A concussion is a type of brain injury that occurs after an impact to the head. This condition can cause you to lose consciousness for an undisclosed period of time. Although more common in people who regularly play in contact sports, anyone who takes a fall or some other kind of injury is prone to getting a concussion.
Although concussions are not usually life-threatening, they can lead to other serious symptoms that may require professional medical attention. Dr. Seth Tuwiner provides testing and treatment for concussions in Leesburg and Dulles, VA. Learn more and call (703) 293-5244 to schedule your appointment today!
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
Similar to other traumatic injuries, symptoms can vary depending on how severe the concussion is. For example, some people may experience a loss of consciousness while others may not. Understanding the symptoms can be a helpful way to gauge how serious a concussion is and whether or not someone should seek medical treatment. Symptoms of a concussion may include any of the following:
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Feeling drowsy
- Nausea
- Issues maintaining balance
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Headache
- Slowed reaction to a stimulus
- How To Diagnose a Concussion
In order to determine if a person has a concussion and the severity of it, Dr. Tuwiner will begin with an evaluation of symptoms and a review of a person’s medical history to see if you have endured this injury before, which may affect your treatment method. A few of the tests a Dr. Tuwiner may perform to test the severity of a concussion may include:
- Neurological Examination- an exam designed to test your hearing, vision, strength, balance, coordination, and your reflexes.
- Cognitive Testing- an exam to test thinking abilities such as your memory (short and long term) as well as concentration.
- Imaging Tests- recommended for people experiencing progressing symptoms of headaches, seizures, or vomiting. Brain imaging is used to determine if the injury is severe enough to have caused internal bleeding or swelling inside the skull.
- Observation- in severe cases, Dr. Tuwiner may recommend an overnight hospital stay to monitor if symptoms worsen.
What are the Treatment Options for a Concussion
If you believe you have sustained a concussion, here are the recommended treatment options:
- Physical and mental rest. For the first couple days after a concussion, it’s very important to your healing that you get plenty of mental and physical rest. This includes limiting (but not completely avoiding) any activity that causes stress or requires a great amount of concentration. After a period of rest, you can gradually work toward increasing your workload.
- Gradually returning to normal activities. As your symptoms improve, you may gradually add more activities that require concentration, such as doing more schoolwork or work assignments. Once all of your symptoms of concussion have disappeared, you and Dr. Tuwiner can discuss the steps you'll take to safely play sports again.
- Pain relief medication. Headaches may occur to those recovering from a concussion so we recommend asking Dr. Tuwiner if it’s safe for you to take over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil.
Address your concerns of concussions with Dr. Seth Tuwiner. To schedule an appointment in Leesburg or Dulles, VA, please call our office at (703) 293-5244 today, or contact us using our online form.