Following a car accident, it is essential to be checked and treated for a concussion right away.
While some patients can safely go home within a couple of hours, others may need to remain in the hospital for a longer period of time in order to be monitored. After going home, however, it is still important to monitor your condition and to contact your doctor if your symptoms continue or worsen. Some symptoms that require contacting the doctor after going home include:
- A headache that worsens or does not go away
- Decreased coordination
- Extreme drowsiness
- Increased confusion, agitation or restlessness
- Weakness or numbness
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty recognizing people or places
- Loss of consciousness
- One pupil that is larger than the other
In the days and weeks following the car accident, it is important to give yourself time to get better. When suffering from a concussion, you should slowly return to your regular activities. If your symptoms come back while engaging in the activity, stop and rest for the day. If you feel like you are getting worse or if your symptoms do not seem to be improving, contact your doctor to discuss your condition further.
To help improve your recovery time from a concussion, be sure to get plenty of sleep at night and take it easy during the day. This means avoiding activities that are physical or mentally demanding. You should also avoid alcohol, drugs and medication unless approved by your doctor. To learn more about how to recover from a concussion after a car accident or other incident, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab.