Concussions - Writers Forum

Kira the wanderer · 02-20-2006, 05:24 PM

Alright. I want to know if anyone knows anything about concussions. Like, rumors to be exact. Like, what people say you should do to treat someone who has a concussion-- what is real and what is fake. There are always stupid things people say you should do to cure something that doesn't really work and somethings people know to do that really do work.

I know you shouldn't move them... but what does a doctor do? I'd like to know how you would deal with these under limited technology or if you happen to find someone who has one and want to sure them yourself.

mammamaia · 02-20-2006, 08:57 PM

first, the major symptoms of a concussion are:

pupils dilated/non-reactive when you shine a light on them
sleepiness
headache
nausea
vomiting

only treatment is just rest... nothing else can be done... a doctor will tell you to make sure the person with the concussion gets plenty of rest/sleep and that you should wake them every hour or so, to make sure they haven't gone into a coma or show signs of more serious damage... they'll recover in a matter of days, if there's no further damage...

you can google for more info... there are plenty of medical info sites out there... this is what i know from experience as a mom of 7... and from having had a very heavy medical background since childhood, with a mother who was a nurse for over 50 years, a dad who ran hospitals, and working in one myself, as well as running a doctor's office...

love and hugs, maia

mammamaia · 02-20-2006, 08:58 PM

deleted double post... don't know how that happened... m

Kira the wanderer · 02-21-2006, 01:36 PM

Thank you! I don't need to google it, I wanted to know just what the common people know. I, who doesn't really know anything about this matter, couldn't even be much assistance to myself. That's very helpful!

elizabeth_472 · 02-23-2006, 09:14 AM

Hi. I had a concussion once from fainting. It was the worse pain I had in my life, so far. The pain was unbelievable and all I could do was lay around and wait for it to get better. When I went to the doctor's, he had me try to walk in a straight line, which I could do. Sorry if that didn't help much. It's all I can remember.

Ilan Bouchard · 02-23-2006, 03:29 PM

I've had my share of concussions. Sleepiness is the biggest symptom, at least for me. A bit of wooziness as well.

A bunch of people told me not to sleep or I'd go into a coma, and while I think that's possible, I'm almost certain you won't go into a coma if you have enough consciousness to willingly stay awake.

mammamaia · 02-23-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

I'm almost certain you won't go into a coma if you have enough consciousness to willingly stay awake.

...not so, sorry to say... you're not in control of a concussion, no matter how strong-willed you may be... the damage done to your brain that caused it, can shut you down at any time... and often does... which is why a patient with a concussion must be watched carefully, till the sleepiness part passes...

...btw, i forgot to add 'dizzyness' as one of the symptoms... another reason the afflicted person needs to be watched carefully, since falling can cause further injuries...

Kira the wanderer · 02-23-2006, 06:53 PM

Thanks! This is all perfect, but I must say that that although Ilan was not correct that is too the same kind of information i am looking for and both of you have been a great help.

writingaccountant · 03-02-2006, 02:03 PM

I have dealt with 2 concussions in life. The first was from jumping off of a 70 model toyota onto my head onto concrete. The second a year later was from playing dogball in the basement when my dad (a bit drunk at the time in his defence?) hurled the 4 square ball from 10 feet and knocked me into the wall knocking me out. I was only 7 at the time but I can still remember the pain from the first one. I could hear my blood pumping from my head but I could not hear the people around me screaming. I remember both times being checked with a flashlight each hour thru the night and the intense pain the light caused.

I dont know if it has any relation but after the second hit I started sleepwalking.

Cheers

petitions author · 03-12-2006, 04:20 PM

Hi,
The head trauma could be the reason for sleep walking.
Some sufferers of head trauma get a type amnesia about the events just prior to, and just after the trauma. They can also have flashbacks of the event leading to the trauma months and sometimes even years after the actual event. If the conditions are similar.
Auto accident. 1997. Bad news.
It is usually advised to try to keep them awake for as long as possible, and at least one full hour after the head trauma. When they do sleep you wake them hourly and ask them questions that are pertinent to them. Amnesia is I believe only part of what they're looking for. Motor skills are checked, as well.
Some fractures do not show up on xrays. Your brain can swell, it's nasty, serious business!
I almost feel wierd saying this, but have a great day! p.a.

petitions author · 03-12-2006, 04:23 PM

Hi,
wierd? Sorry, I just gave myself the creeps responding to this one.
Have a great day! p.a.