{"id":2630,"date":"2019-01-05T15:10:15","date_gmt":"2019-01-05T15:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2630"},"modified":"2021-07-28T12:36:44","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T12:36:44","slug":"9-ways-to-breakthrough-recovery-of-post-concussion-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/9-ways-to-breakthrough-recovery-of-post-concussion-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Breakthrough Recovery of Post Concussion Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Our brain is an intricate and fragile organ. Receiving a substantial blow or jolt to the head, neck, or body will result in an injury to the brain known as a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion can include impaired cognitive function, insomnia, forgetfulness, nausea, and dizziness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical community grade concussions by the severity of the symptoms they present. Grade 1 concussion is a minor event with quick recovery and minimal lasting effect beyond a 15-minute period. Grade 2 concussions last longer than 15 minutes and grade 3 injuries involve a complete loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A concussion can ruin your life if left undiagnosed and untreated. Brain injuries, no matter how minor, result in many different adverse neurological, psychological and physiological effects. For an effective recovery you will need advice from medical professionals, and in some cases, medication to mitigate the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after you have left the doctor\u2019s office, the majority of the journey back to proper brain health is made by adjustments to your diet, lifestyle and exercise habits. Reduce your recovery time from post-concussion syndrome (PCS) with a well-thought-out plan. The road back to a fully-functional brain has many components to complete your rehabilitation successfully. Enhance your recovery with this nine-step strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Visit a Medical Professional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first thing to do after any mTBI is to visit doctors room for a diagnosis. The grade of the concussion you are dealing with will determine the treatment and recovery time. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you cope with pain and other uncomfortable symptoms during the recovery phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people do not realize that they have a concussion after they have sustained the injury. The effect on the brain is so mild that they brush it off and continue their activity, exposing themselves to the risk of further neurological damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-concussion syndrome can delay the onset of symptoms by 1 or 2 weeks. It\u2019s critical to cease doing any activity that caused the original injury <\/a>during this initial phase of the mTBI. If you are involved in sports, notify your coach and sit on the sidelines during practice until you heal completely. If you receive another head injury during this time, it could lead to further brain damage or even death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Focus Your Nutrition on Recovery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fix your diet to optimize your recovery. A brain injury is a form of inflammation, so it would make sense to eat anti-inflammatory foods. Healthy fats from plant-based sources such as olive oil, avocados, and almonds reduce inflammation and improve circulation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your diet should include fatty fish like salmon and yellowfin tuna. These fish are rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids that improve circulation around the brain, reduce inflammation and help to repair the damage from mTBI. If you don\u2019t like to eat fish, add fish oil capsules to your diet and reap the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids without the seafood taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid consuming refined carbohydrates such as sugar and processed foods. Refined carbs create inflammation in the cell walls of the intestines. This inflammation spreads from the digestive system to every other biological system in the body, including the neurological system. Eating these foods while trying to recover from a concussion will diminish your progress and delay your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Rest is Critical<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your brain <\/a>produces millions of chemical reactions that fuel thousands of biological processes every second of the day. Providing your mind with as much rest as possible is paramount to ensuring a successful recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid stressful situations and tasks that require concentration, such as driving. Steer away from over-stimulation and avoid using your smartphone wherever you can. Sleep as much as you can during your recovery period. Sleep restores the neurological pathways in the brain and speeds up the healing process. If you find yourself restless and struggling to disengage from a busy lifestyle, consider meditating two or three times a day for a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay away from social engagements for the first two weeks after your injury. Spend as much time as you can in the shade outdoors. Being around a natural environment has a restorative power to the body and mind. As a final tip, remember to take frequent naps during the day, especially if you feel tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Keep a Symptom Journal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to track every step of your journey to recovery. Since your mind is not working as it should, your memory will be foggy at best. Therefore, a journal is an invaluable tool to determine your progress to full rehabilitation of your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start your journal by trying to remember the incident that caused your brain injury. Do not strain your thoughts, relax and control your breathing if you feel any sensations of anxiety<\/a>. Next, record all your daily experiences during the recovery phase. Write down the time, intensity, and duration of any symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or temporary disturbances in your vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the journal to record your emotional state as well. Recording all of your symptoms will provide your medical practitioner with critical information they need to adjust the treatment of your mTBI. Take it with you to your follow-up sessions with your doctor and ask them for their opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Support and Discussion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Post-concussion syndrome affects your energy levels, emotions, memory, thoughts, and a lot more. The effects of mTBI are mostly unseen, irrational behavior, mood swings<\/a>, and a short temper are all signs of PCS. Handling the emotional states that occur from post-concussion syndrome can be challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are struggling to cope with processing your recovery from PCS, then reach out to family members and trusted friends in your time of need. They will be your best gauge of whether or not you are improving. If you do not have any friends or family nearby, join a local support group to get the help you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may take months or even years to recover fully from the effects of post-concussion syndrome. Build a support team around yourself and include treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, massage therapists, an osteopath, psychologist, and a neurologist. The success of your therapy depends on your ability to use the skills of others to help you heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Manage Your Physical Rehabilitation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s critical for you to return to regular physical activity as soon as possible after your concussion. Start your physical rehabilitation 1 to 3 days after the injury by taking a short walk in your neighborhood. Being outside in the fresh air will stimulate your mind and invigorate your senses while you walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limit activities that require mental fortitude to a few minutes. Stop if you feel tired or begin to experience the onset of a headache. Adjust the intensity of your rehabilitation as you improve. When you think that you are over the worst of the symptoms, begin to exercise <\/a>with more intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid strenuous cardio workouts as they can deplete oxygen from the brain and hinder your recovery. It\u2019s crucial to understand your limits and stay within them. The brain uses 20-30% of your daily calorie intake. However, reduced blood flow to the brain increases energy demands that can exceed supply, so make sure that you pace yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Explore Alternative Forms of Therapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Visiting your doctor is critical to diagnose the severity of your concussion and plan the best course of treatment for your recovery. To enhance your progress back to a healthy brain, consider adding alternative therapies to your recovery schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy \u2013 This involves sealing yourself in a pressurized vessel filled with 100% oxygen. The atmospheric air we breathe is mostly nitrogen. By increasing the availability of oxygen to the bloodstream and the brain, you dramatically reduce healing time for mTBI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cryotherapy \u2013 The vagus nerve, otherwise known as the pneumogastric nerve, is the tenth cranial nerve that integrates with parasympathetic oversight of the lungs, heart, and digestive tract<\/a>. This nerve is stimulated by cold conditions, releasing powerful restorative hormones and biological chemicals into the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flotation Tank \u2013 A tank filled with room temperature water and hundreds of pounds of salt. Step into the tank and float in the darkness. You will experience a peaceful calming sensation as your body and mind wind down and relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. The Healing Power of Nature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being out in a natural environment has a powerful restorative effect on the mind in the same way that nutrient-dense food restores the body. The peaceful serenity of a walk in a park, with the wind whistling through the trees, and the sun shining on your face is bliss for your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural therapies such as walking outdoors and spending time with mother nature can reduce blood pressure<\/a>, lower heart rate, and reduce cortisol levels. People living with mTBI can recover from their injuries up to 70% faster by simply taking a stroll in the woods as their rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may also be beneficial to take a trip to the zoo. Watching animals in a peaceful environment reconnects the mind to nature. If there are facilities for a petting zoo, take the time to spend a few minutes interacting with the animals. Animals do not speak; they rely on body language, breathing, and sound to communicate. This activity provides an ideal low-stress environment ideal for rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Patience is Key<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t spend time stressing about the particulars of your accident that inflicted your brain injury. Avoid the mental stress that comes with wondering why your recovery is taking so long. Obsessing over the details will raise anxiety <\/a>and place further strain on your adrenal glands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During your recovery from PCS, the most important thing to be aware of is that you are making progress back to a fully healed brain. Keep visiting your doctor for regular checkups and make sure that you do all you can to rehabilitate your mind successfully. Spend your time with people you care about and take every day as it comes until you feel mentally restored and ready to face the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time heals all wounds; this old saying rings true in the case of post-concussion syndrome. Give it enough time, and the mind will heal itself, stay patient and persistent on your road to recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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