Treating Concussions
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: May 16, 2012
JOPLIN, MO-- "The brain is more susceptible at a younger age." And Freeman Orthopedic Surgeon Robert Lieurance says that makes it even more important to spot a concussion. "A lot of time they feel fuzzy or dizzy or confused. The events that led up to the concussion - they might not remember immediately after. In more serious concussions, there's loss of consciousness - they're knocked out."
While we often think of concussions in football - the brain injury can happen any time there's enough force to the skull. Added Lieurance, "Boxing - after repeated hits, soccer - they hit with the head."
Lieurance says it generally takes a week to heal - and that risk factors grow if there are repeated concussions. He also warns that the signs may not show up immediately, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take them seriously. "The treatment for that - they just need to shut down all their sporting activity. No running, no weight lifting, no exertion. And they basically need to shut it down in the classroom. No TV, no texting, no computer."
