A concussion can really put your life on hold. Even if your symptoms are relatively mild, your concussion recovery can still take you out of action for weeks. And if you try to return to your normal routine too soon, it can end up making things worse. For example, if you return to sports too early, it increases the risk for another concussion and potentially fatal brain injury.
In addition, concussions sometimes lead to complications like post-concussion syndrome. It can involve symptoms that stick around for months after your concussion, such as:
- Post-traumatic headache
- Sleep issues
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Mental health disorders
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
But concussion management can help you avoid or manage those issues. While it’s important to rest immediately following a concussion (for the first 24-48 hours), studies show that guided physical activity and treatment can help reduce symptoms, improve brain function, solve blood flow issues, and repair injured tissue.