I’ve hit my head, what should I do?

Sometimes when people hit their head or get shaken about enough they can sustain a concussion. At the time, they may feel dazed and confused or they may have even suffered a loss of consciousness for a short period of time. If the person continues to be unresponsive or unable to move or respond appropriately then call 999 as a matter of urgency.

If you regularly take blood thinners for another medical condition you must go to the hospital regardless of how you are feeling.

If later in the day or over the next few days, on reflection there was a change in your behaviour, loss of consciousness, feeling or speaking vague or disinhibited (swearing lots, saying things you wouldn’t usually say) then it is best to go to A+E or contact NHS 111 for advice.

The hospital may perform some head scans e.g. CT or MRI, or they may decide that you do not need any at the time.

For the first 48 hours following a suspected or confirmed concussion, rest is advised. This means no screens, minimal noise, little physical exertion and if possible not to be on your own. Do not consume any alcohol or take recreational drugs, and also avoid aspirin. It is ok to sleep. If you do sleep, have someone regularly check on you and slightly disturb you to see if you react appropriately and shrug them off. If this happens then you do not need waking properly. If they cannot disturb or wake you then they must call 999.

After 48 hours, it is ok to start gradually reintroducing light cognitive and physical demands. Rehab starts straight away!

Concussions are unique to the individual – How long is a piece of string? However, for most people symptoms tend to resolve within a week. If your symptoms persist after 7-10 days, give us a call and we can assist with your road to recovery.

Remember!!!! 

The best rehab is prevention OR minimising impact by using a helmet if your sport recommends/enforces it.

**Education**

Avoid second impact syndrome as this can lead to severe implications. 

Lets get rid of the ethos:

 ‘Hit your head? Get back up and carry on’

Instead, lets promote:

‘Hit your head? Let’s sit you out until you can be assessed properly’

It may feel like you are missing out this way, but it’s better to miss a couple of games or a few social events than to risk hitting your head again in close succession and having more severe symptoms in the future that may stop you from doing these things again.