February 2023 - Lancaster Brain and Spine

Suffering from a concussion can be a disorienting, frightening and stressful experience. However, the good news is that many minor concussions can be treated at home with the right care and attention. At Lancaster Brain & Spine, our main goal is to support you or your loved one through the healing process, so you can return to normal life as soon as possible.

Below, we have compiled nine natural ways to treat a concussion at home, because not every concussion requires treatment. However, it is crucial to note that these methods should always be used in conjunction with professional advice and to avoid self-diagnosing. To ensure you don’t have underlying trauma that’s critical or life-threatening, we always recommend getting an expert opinion.

If you suspect you or a loved one might have a concussion, know that any head trauma should always be taken seriously. If you’re looking for answers, we offer 15-minute telephone consultations, and you can book a call with us here.

How Do I Treat A Concussion? The Road To Recovery

We understand this can be a difficult time, but rest assured that with the right care and attention, you or your loved one can likely make a full recovery. Between 80-90% of people who suffer from concussions are better within 30 days. The remaining people tend to struggle, and that’s where we come in. If you’re suffering from a complex neurological disorder, you might qualify for our intensive treatment.

Here are nine ways to effectively manage your concussion from the comfort of your home and speed up your recovery time (instead of prolonging or exacerbating your symptoms).

1. Limit Your Screen Time

Exposure to screens, such as computers, cell phones and televisions, can worsen your symptoms following a concussion. Research has shown that limiting screen time in the first 48 hours after sustaining a concussion can significantly reduce your recovery time by up to 50%. By easing the strain on your eyes, you can help your brain recover quicker.

2. Allow Your Body And Mind To Recharge

Rest is crucial for concussion recovery, both physically and mentally. During your recovery, gradually increase your activity level, such as taking short walks, engaging in light household tasks and simple socializing. This movement and social interaction can help your brain process and recalibrate, leading to better healing.

However, excessive rest, known as “cocooning,” where you spend long periods of time in a dark room, should be avoided. You might need a little more sleep than usual, which is totally normal, but we recommend not resting in the dark for more than 48 hours.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Good quality sleep is crucial after a concussion, because this down time allows your brain to heal and recover. Sleep plays an important role in the healing process, as it provides your brain with the opportunity to rest and restore functions. During sleep, the brain can process information, consolidate memories and repair damaged tissue. Adequate sleep can also help reduce symptoms associated with concussions, boost the immune system and improve your mood.

We recommend getting between 7-10 hours of sleep a night.

4. Drink Plenty of Fluids

We all know how important water is for our body’s function, but dehydration can actually exacerbate concussion symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and confusion, which are commonly associated with this injury. Drinking plenty of fluids can help alleviate these symptoms and encourage your body to heal faster. As proper hydration maintains brain function, it is vital to drink plenty of fluids after a concussion to support healing and reduce inflammation.

5. Intermittent Fasting

You may have heard about this diet method for improved health and nutrition, but intermittent fasting is also a powerful tool for boosting the body’s healing process. By restricting your eating period to an 8-hour window each day, you stimulate the immune system and activate your body’s natural mechanisms for clearing out damaged cells. This is achieved by causing slight stress on your body, which in turn promotes the production of microglial cells. These cells play a crucial role in repairing damaged tissue and supporting your brain’s healing process.

Before incorporating intermittent fasting into your routine, it’s important to consult with a medical professional to ensure that it’s a safe and appropriate approach for you.

6. Nourish Your Brain For Optimal Healing

After a concussion, it’s crucial to prioritize nourishing your body and brain to support the healing process. Unfortunately, many popular foods can actually hinder the healing process and prolong your recovery. Sugar and processed foods are two examples, as they increase inflammation, disrupt blood sugar levels, and impair brain function.

Sugar and processed foods can also reduce the effectiveness of your immune system and slow down the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This can increase the risk of further injury and prolong your recovery process — which nobody wants. In contrast, a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods can provide your body with the essential nutrients and energy it needs to heal and recover.

7. Take Inflammation-Fighting Supplements

When it comes to natural concussion recovery, it’s important to address the underlying inflammation that can prolong symptoms. Adding anti-inflammatory supplements and foods to your diet can help support the healing process and reduce inflammation in your brain.

One supplement we recommend taking is fish oil, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, and is essential for brain health and repair. Another effective anti-inflammatory, turmeric, has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote healing throughout the body.

8. Avoid Overstimulation

It’s important to avoid too much stimulation during your recovery, such as large crowds in busy environments, as noise and visual motion can cause sensory overload and further strain your brain. By avoiding sensory overload, you will feel more grounded and your brain will feel relaxed (instead of stressed).

9. Protect Your Senses

After a concussion, your body remains sensitive to both light and sound. This can make everyday activities, such as using a computer or being in bright environments, extremely uncomfortable. To help alleviate these symptoms, it’s important to take steps to protect your senses.

We recommend wearing sunglasses or rose-tinted glasses when going outside in bright environments. For those using a computer or other screens, blue light-blocking glasses can be especially helpful in reducing the glare and strain on your eyes. Additionally, wearing earplugs can help reduce the impact of loud sounds and relieve auditory sensitivity.

How Long Will My Concussion Last? Recovery Time Frame

Most minor concussions clear up within 7-10 days. However, if you have a history of multiple concussions or other risk factors that make you more susceptible, your symptoms may last longer or become more severe.

If you experience persistent symptoms for more than 10 days, we recommend you seek the advice of a medical professional. We are here to support you and offer a free telephone consultation with one of our experts to answer any questions you may have. When you come in for a consultation, we use advanced diagnostic equipment, such as videonystagmography and balance testing, to help determine the root cause more quickly.

If this blog post raises any questions or concerns about your condition or a loved one’s, please contact us. We are experts in diagnosing and treating concussions, and offer complimentary 15-minute phone consultations to talk through any issues you may have, and see how we can help you.

One of the most common complaints our physicians deal with is patients coming in with feelings of dizziness. Most people recognize this disorienting sensation as a warning sign that something’s not quite right in their bodies. Just like how pain warns us that something hurts, dizziness alerts us that something may be out of balance.

Just as there are many solutions to various types of pain, there are also many solutions to why you may feel dizzy. You could be experiencing anything from inner ear problems to low blood pressure, or even something more serious, like dysautonomia. While the feeling of dizziness is not always alarming, diagnosing the causation correctly is crucial to receiving the right type of treatment.

So let’s start with the basics — what actually causes dizziness?

The Word “Dizzy” Can Refer To Countless Conditions

“Dizziness” is an umbrella term that people use to describe a general feeling or sensation, but in the medical world, it needs to be narrowed down. People who experience dizziness often describe the feeling like they are spinning, that they might pass out, or that they may fall over. You may have one or all three of these sensations.

Since “dizziness” is generally used to describe all of these, it’s important to clarify what is actually occurring. We do this by asking exploratory questions around specific feelings and experiences, as well as using cutting-edge diagnostic tools, to help us accurately determine the symptoms before discovering the cause.

So when you say you “feel dizzy,” what do you really mean by that?

Let’s explore the three main categories of dizziness that we may diagnose.

1. Vertigo

Vertigo is the term we use to describe the sensation of spinning, that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. It may feel like you yourself are spinning, or that the world around you is spinning. Your body is essentially detecting a false sense of movement. This sensation can last briefly, say seconds or minutes, or up to days at a time.

A branch of this diagnosis is positional vertigo, occurring when you change position or move your body — we call this benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is most noticeable when you lie down, sit or stand up from a different position. This is one of the most common forms of vertigo and is usually easy to treat with just a few visits.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is typically caused by problems in the inner ear, brain or vestibular nerve. Perhaps you previously had an infection, experience frequent migraines or have an autoimmune issue.

Thorough diagnostic testing can help determine where your vertigo is coming from. At Lancaster Brain & Spine, we have a range of cutting-edge diagnostic equipment in-house to help diagnose the root cause of your dizziness.

If you think you’re experiencing vertigo and the sensation disrupts your daily activities or causes you discomfort, we recommend you speak to a medical professional to get a diagnosis and treatment. Book a free 15-minute consultation here.

2. Lightheadedness

The second category of dizziness is lightheadedness, the sensation of feeling faint or as if you are about to pass out. This is generally caused by a lack of blood flow or oxygen to the brain. For example, if you stand up too quickly, you may feel lightheaded. However, this sensation can be a sign of something more serious or a side effect of an underlying condition.

What Causes Lightheadedness?

There are numerous underlying conditions and situations where lightheadedness can occur. These include, but are not limited to:

Conditions such as dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Underlying medical issues like hypoglycemia or anemia
People who struggle to regulate their blood pressure and/or heart rate
Generalized anxiety disorders
Substance use, such as nicotine

If you get lightheaded often, we recommend you see a professional. Book a consultation with us here to see if we can help.

3. Off-balance

The final category of dizziness we diagnose is being off-balance, which refers to being unsteady on your feet or feeling confused due to this unsteadiness. It may present itself as a complete loss of balance, or a feeling like you might fall.

What causes the “off balance” feeling?

Feeling off-balance is often caused by nerve damage in the lower body or visual problems, sometimes a result of diabetes, chemotherapy or trauma to the nerves. Another condition that can make you feel off-balance is stenosis.

If you regularly feel off-balance and it’s impacting your daily life, seek professional help. You can always book a free 15-minute phone consultation with us by using this simple form.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

Many people experience one-off occurrences of dizziness that are usually benign and harmless, often due to dehydration, inactivity or motion. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following, we recommend you seek a professional opinion to see if there’s a treatment option available:

Chronic/long-term occurrences of dizziness
Severe events of dizziness that interfere with day-to-day activities
Additional symptoms, such as loss of speech

We understand how frustrating and worrying these symptoms can be — especially when they affect your daily routine. That’s why we offer free telephone consultations that you can request by filling out our quick 5-question form.

How Do You Diagnose The Underlying Cause of Dizziness?

At our Lancaster-based clinic, we’re experts in diagnosing dizziness. That’s why we invested in a variety of cutting-edge diagnostic tools to better understand why you’re experiencing this sensation before prescribing a treatment.

Some of these tools and technologies include:

Videonystagmography — tracking your eye movements to help diagnose vertigo
Computerized posturography (Btracks) — measuring balance and monitoring center of gravity
Tilt table — to measure blood pressure, heart rate and breathing
Visual examinations — to measure your walking stance and gait

Using one or a combination of these tools will allow us to properly diagnose your condition and then create a custom treatment plan that suits you and your lifestyle.

How We Treat Dizziness

As specialists in neurological disorders and dysfunctions, our diagnostic process followed by custom treatment plans has proven to have incredible results. The treatment for dizziness depends on the underlying cause — if you have an inner ear problem, the treatment will be different than someone with low blood pressure.

Therefore, we customize treatment plans based on your diagnosis and lifestyle so we can get you back to living your regular life as soon as possible.

Looking For Advice On Your Symptoms?

That’s why we offer 15-minute consults, so you can understand your symptoms and what your options are. You can request yours by filling in this quick 5-question form.

Month: February 2023

Concussion: 9 Natural Ways To Boost Your Recovery At Home