Georgia Injury Law Blog
Concussions are mild brain injuries that can occur in a car accident, or a motorcycle or bicycle accident. Wearing a helmet when you ride a motorcycle or a bicycle can help protect your head against injuries in an accident. Short term symptoms after a concussion may include temporary loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting. In the long term, however, persons who suffer concussions may face challenges like concentration difficulties, problems paying attention, chronic headaches and fatigue. These problems, if left unaddressed, could also cause mental health issues like depression. It is, therefore, important to receive treatment for a concussion as soon as one occurs.
Brain injuries are severe injuries that should not be ignored. Whenever there has been any jolt or blow to the head after an accident, make sure that you get it checked out by a doctor immediately to rule out any damage to the brain tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent exacerbation.
When it comes to brain injury recovery, the longstanding belief has been that extensive rest helps heal symptoms of a concussion quicker. However, just the opposite may be true. According to a new study, teenagers who have suffered a brain injury may actually benefit from periods of light, aerobic exercise instead of being cocooned and isolated.
The study was conducted by researchers at Penn State Health Sports Medicine, and the findings were published recently. The study found that teenage athletes who had suffered a concussion actually benefited from light exercise and continuous rest. However, for exercise to be beneficial, it has to be performed under controlled supervision. Unregulated and unsupervised exercise may actually exacerbate symptoms, and is not recommended at all.
On the other hand, light exercise with a focus on cardio benefits like walking or a stationary bicycle could actually help a teenager with a brain injury. It is important to begin exercise on a mild level, and then increase the intensity as the patient becomes more comfortable with greater intensity. Light exercise, according to the researchers, can cause symptoms to heal faster, and actually speed up recovery.
It is very important to consult with your doctor before beginning any kind of exercise program after a concussion. Teenagers may be especially enthusiastic about returning to their normal activity, including sports, after a head injury. However, the risk of developing symptoms like chronic headaches, concentration problems and attention difficulties are very real after a concussion.
If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury in a car accident, talk to an Atlanta car accident attorney at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers, and determine whether you have legal options for a claim for damages. A brain injury claim must include compensation for not just short-term medical expenses, but also the long-term medical expenses that you can expect to incur after the injury. Additionally, a brain injury can impact your ability to earn at the level that you were earning at before the injury, and therefore, it is important to account for such loss of income in your claim as well. Talk to a lawyer at our firm, and discuss your case.