Leading-edge care for concussions

Concussions can happen to athletes of all ages participating in sporting activities, especially high-impact ones like hockey, football, basketball and soccer. But concussions can happen in other ways, too. If you’ve been in a car accident, had a fall and banged your head, or even if you’ve bumped your head in another way, you could experience a concussion.

If you’re experiencing symptoms after a blow to the head, it can be scary to know what to do next. No two people experience concussions in exactly the same way. That’s why the HonorHealth Concussion Program is designed to meet your unique needs. At HonorHealth, you’ll find a team of experts who are ready to design a treatment plan to get you back to living your best life.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the brain that is caused by rapid and forceful movement of the brain against the skull. It’s typically caused by a bump or blow to the head, but it can also happen when the upper body is shaken violently or from a whiplash movement of the head.

If you play sports, had a violent blow to the body, have been in a car crash or bike accident, have fallen and hit your head, or if you’ve had a previous concussion, and you are having symptoms, you could be at risk for a concussion.

When should you seek treatment?

If you’re 8 years of age or older and are experiencing symptoms of a concussion after a blow to the head, we can help. It’s important to be seen by a specialist as soon as possible after your injury. However, you can still benefit from treatment if you’re experiencing concussion symptoms in the weeks following your initial injury.

The HonorHealth Concussion Program can:

• Diagnose whether or not you’ve had a concussion.
• Help you if you’ve already been diagnosed with a concussion (for example, after a visit to an urgent care or your primary care physician).
• Treat post-concussion syndrome (meaning you’ve been experiencing symptoms from a concussion or suspected concussion for more than four to six weeks and you aren’t getting better).

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious brain injury; please call 911 immediately:

• Headaches that get worse and do not go away
• Significant nausea or repeated vomiting
• Unusual behavior including increased confusion, restlessness or agitation
• Drowsiness or inability to wake up
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching)
• Loss of consciousness (passing out)

How the HonorHealth Concussion Program can help

Concussions are a very individualized injury. There are no specific expectations of what symptoms you should feel, the severity of them or the time it takes you to recover. That’s why it’s important to see a specialist who can help guide you through your recovery.

The HonorHealth Concussion Program is there for you every step of the way, providing you a treatment plan made just for you and your specific needs. Your concussion specialist will set up your initial consultation quickly and see you regularly throughout your recovery to ensure you’re making progress and getting the resources that you need.

What to expect at your first appointment:

• You will have a comprehensive exam including neurologic evaluation, cognitive screening, strength, coordination and balance testing.
• Your specialist will review what you should do for your concussion based on your stage of healing.
• Recommendations will include strategies for symptom management and rehabilitation for concussion-related symptoms.
• You will be asked to document how you are feeling during activities and review that with your specialist at your next appointment.

Depending on the nature of your specific injury, your specialist will coordinate your care team which may include: 

• Vestibular therapy – to help with general dizziness or dizziness with eye movement
• Physical therapy – to address neck pain or worsening headaches
• Ophthalmology/neuro-ophthalmology – to assist with vision issues

Your concussion specialist will continue to see you approximately every other week and stay in close communication with any other care team members. Once your symptoms have resolved, you will have one final appointment with your concussion specialist to complete a final assessment and give you clearance to return to normal activities. Your specialist will also talk about what it means for you going forward as each successive concussion might increase the time it takes you to recover. If you experience another concussion, you should contact your specialist to start a new treatment plan.