Concussion Recovery

Concussion: The Road to Diagnosis and Recovery

My mission is to increase public awareness of concussions and their long-term effects. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 3.8 million concussions occur each year. Only 1 in 6 are diagnosed. And the effects of concussion can derail a life.

My Story

I know this from personal experience. On April 27, 2014, I was a passenger in a vehicle on W. Summit Ave when suddenly another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the car, crumpling the door and trapping me inside. I regained consciousness in the emergency room of the University Hospital. I experienced the terrible fear of not knowing where I was or what had happened. When my family would explain to me that I had been in an accident and was in the hospital, I would immediately lose the memory of what I had just been told and would ask the same questions over and over. The aftermath was an ordeal of pain and constant panic.

Ongoing effects of a concussion can include loss of self confidence, crippling reactions to stress and anxiety, avoidance of social interaction, lowered academic performance, and can even contribute to suicide. I went through most of these and more and, with the best of treatment from the medical community of San Antonio, I have overcome them all. My participation in the Miss San Antonio Pageant has been a critical part of both aiding and validating my recovery. It has proved to me that I have regained my former ability to thrive on meeting goals and deadlines, enjoy social interaction, the desire to assume a leadership role and my love of public speaking.

Diagnosis and Recovery

The keys to my recovery, and the ultimate recovery of others, were the immediate diagnosis of the concussion and early and continuing treatment of the concussion effects. Without such early intervention, individual sufferers are deprived of a higher quality of life, and the community loses out on the talent and contributions of these individuals.

Concussions are too frequently undiagnosed and I will strive to increase public awareness of this problem and reduce the the occurrence of untreated concussion injuries. I am partnering with the Alamo Head Injury Association http://www.alamoheadinjury.org to educate parents and young people about the danger of undiagnosed and untreated concussions. I will be a passionate messenger to outreach to schools, universities, and sports organizations. Being a participant in the Miss San Antonio organization, which is part of the Miss America Organization, has enhanced my ability to spread this message. I have developed social media and this website, which have already collected hundreds of dollars in contributions. I have also created a promotional bracelet and I’ll be distributing hundreds of them at upcoming speaking engagements.

Valuable Resources for Diagnosis and Recovery

For authoritative guidance on diagnosis and recovery, you may contact the following organizations.

Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine

https://www.texashealth.org/sports-medicine/pages/sports-injuries/concussion.aspx . 1-877-847-9355

The centers’ extensive approach to concussion care includes:

Diagnosis and treatment for concussion

Interpretation of neurocognitive baseline and post-injury test results

Interpretation of balance testing with the latest technology used by professional players

Education on concussion for athletes, athletic trainers and parents

You will also find a concussion toolbox for coaches, athletic trainers and teachers at their website along with a comprehensive directory of knowledgeable physicians working with concussion.

The Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas Concussion Center

https://www.dellchildrens.net/services-and-programs/concussion-center/ Again, including a directory of knowledgeable physicians working with concussion. (512) 324-0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Recovery

What Can I Do to Help Feel Better After a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury?

Although most people recover after a concussion, how quickly they improve depends on many factors. These factors include how severe their concussion was, their age, how healthy they were before the concussion, and how they take care of themselves after the injury.

Some people who have had a concussion find that at first it is hard to do their daily activities, their job, to get along with everyone at home, or to relax.

Rest is very important after a concussion because it helps the brain to heal. Ignoring your symptoms and trying to “tough it out” often makes symptoms worse. Be patient because healing takes time. Only when your symptoms have reduced significantly, in consultation with your health care professional, should you slowly and gradually return to your daily activities, such as work or school.

If your symptoms come back or you get new symptoms as you become more active, this is a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard. Stop these activities and take more time to rest and recover. As the days go by, you can expect to gradually feel better.

Getting Better: Tips for Adults

• Get plenty of sleep at night, and rest during the day.

• Avoid activities that are physically demanding (e.g., heavy housecleaning, weightlifting/working-out) or require a lot of concentration (e.g., balancing your checkbook). They can make your symptoms worse and slow your recovery.

• Avoid activities, such as contact or recreational sports, that could lead to another concussion. (It is best to avoid roller coasters or other high speed rides that can make your symptoms worse or even cause a concussion.)

• When your health care professional says you are well enough, return to your normal activities gradually, not all at once.

• Because your ability to react may be slower after a concussion, ask your health care professional when you can safely drive a car, ride a bike, or operate heavy equipment.

• Talk with your health care professional about when you can return to work. Ask about how you can help your employer understand what has happened to you.

• Consider talking with your employer about returning to work gradually and about changing your work activities or schedule until you recover (e.g., work half-days).

• Take only those drugs that your health care professional has approved.

• Do not drink alcoholic beverages until your health care professional says you are well enough. Alcohol and other drugs may slow your recovery and put you at risk of further injury.

• Write down the things that may be harder than usual for you to remember.

• If you’re easily distracted, try to do one thing at a time. For example, don’t try to watch TV while fixing dinner.

• Consult with family members or close friends when making important decisions.

• Do not neglect your basic needs, such as eating well and getting enough rest.

• Avoid sustained computer use, including computer/video games early in the recovery process.

• Some people report that flying in airplanes makes their symptoms worse shortly after a concussion.

Getting Better: Tips for Children

Parents and caregivers of children who have had a concussion can help them recover by taking an active role in their recovery:

• Having the child get plenty of rest. Keep a regular sleep schedule, including no late nights and no sleepovers.

• Making sure the child avoids high-risk/ high-speed activities such as riding a bicycle, playing sports, or climbing playground equipment, roller coasters or rides that could result in another bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Children should not return to these types of activities until their health care professional says they are well enough.

• Giving the child only those drugs that are approved by the pediatrician or family physician.

• Talking with their health care professional about when the child should return to school and other activities and how the parent or caregiver can help the child deal with the challenges that the child may face. For example, your child may need to spend fewer hours at school, rest often, or require more time to take tests.

• Sharing information about concussion with parents, siblings, teachers, counselors, babysitters, coaches, and others who interact with the child helps them understand what has happened and how to meet the child’s needs.

Help Prevent Long-Term Problems

If you already had a medical condition at the time of your concussion (such as chronic headaches), it may take longer for you to recover from the concussion. Anxiety and depression may also make it harder to adjust to the symptoms of a concussion. While you are healing, you should be very careful to avoid doing anything that could cause a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. On rare occasions, receiving another concussion before the brain has healed can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage, and even death, particularly among children and teens.

After you have recovered from your concussion, you should protect yourself from having another one. People who have had repeated concussions may have serious long-term problems, including chronic difficulty with concentration, memory, headache, and occasionally, physical skills, such as keeping one’s balance.