When left unobserved and treated improperly, concussions can result in long-term brain damage with fatal consequences. Below are reasons why screening for concussions properly can be life saving!
Taking Advantage of Baseline-Screening
If you are involved in a high impact sport or activity, it is highly recommended you take a baseline-screening test to understand your competent mental abilities without the effects of a concussion. Screening testing is suggested to be repeated once every year with a thorough combination of online neurocognitive testing AND physical and in person neurological testing. Just online/computer-based testing has been proven by medical research to be insufficient on its own.
Pursuing concussion screenings prior to head trauma is vital in utilizing post-concussion recovery screening programs.
Understanding When to Get Back in the Game
After a concussion occurs, the athlete may experience symptoms similar to the ones listed below:
- Headache
- Mental Confusion
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Sensitivity to light
But even when these symptoms seem to be disappearing, athletes may not be fully recovered from the injury. Understanding when you are ready to get back in the game is essential because additional exercise or rough physical contact too soon could project further damage to the athlete’s mental capacity and head health.
With Post-Concussion Screening, health professionals are able to compare your baseline screening results with your post-concussion brain screening results. When the screening shows signs of mental improvement, you and your loved ones can feel better about any reservations you maybe had about getting back into the game.
Consistent Measurement and Assessment of Mental Health
Evaluating and monitoring the gravity of the condition after any injury is just as important. If an individual who has suffered from a concussion feels they are ready to return to activity but then symptoms reappear, they can continually test to see the effectiveness of resting periods. Once the individual has made a full recovery, it is important that they gradually ease back into activity.
Courtesy of: Complete Concussion Management, Patch
