diseases-conditions/post-concussion-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353352 diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594 brain-injury/about-brain-injury/nbiic/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-recover-from-a-concussion How long will it take me to recover from a concussion? (n.d.).article/facts-about-concussion-and-brain-injury Facts about concussion and brain injury.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. They can also tell you about signs to watch for and guide you on when it might be a good idea to head to the ER. If headaches are a component of your concussion, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat them. These might include waking yourself up regularly during the first night or taking some time off work. Your doctor will likely give you some additional recovery tips. Try to use this time to catch up on sleep and reduce your overall stress. However, taking it easy for a week will help you get back to your everyday life faster. This can be especially hard if your symptoms come and go. Try to resist the urge to jump right back into your usual daily activities. To get more antioxidants, try eating these 12 foods. They haven’t been linked specifically to recovery after a concussion, however. Some research suggests that antioxidants may improve memory and overall neural functioning.

You can also take fish oil supplements, available on Amazon, to increase your omega-3 intake. They’re also good for overall health, so there’s plenty of benefit to incorporating them in your diet.įoods rich in omega-3s include fatty fish, such as salmon, walnuts, flax seeds, soy, and chia seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been linked to improving both cognition and the recovery of neurons in concussions sustained by mice in a lab setting. Looking for more options? Here are 20 high-protein foods to help you recover. Meats, beans, nuts, and fish are all great sources of branched-chain amino acids. As you recover, try to eat plenty of protein. Eat more proteinĪ 2015 study found that branched-chain amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, may improve some of the cognitive symptoms of a concussion. It’s also best to avoid any heavy lifting for a week. If you’re a runner, for example, try walking. If you want to keep exercising, try to keep it light. Giving both your mind and body plenty of rest reduces your stress levels and helps your body recover.Īvoid any strenuous exercise for a week or so. Resting may be the most important thing you can do while recovering from a concussion. How much water should you be drinking? Find out. Proper hydration is also important for your overall health, especially while your body is healing. This suggests that staying hydrated is probably a good idea while you recover too. There’s preliminary evidence that dehydration may increase your risk of concussion. While some of these motions might be unavoidable, steer clear of roller coasters and excessive physical activity for a few weeks. These are the types of motions that can cause a concussion in the first place, and minimizing them gives your brain a chance to recover. Try to avoid anything that causes your head or neck to jostle around. Avoid unnecessary movement of your head and neck This will give your body time to heal and prevent light or sound sensitivities from getting worse. You may want to try avoiding big crowds and bright fluorescent lighting for a few days while you recover. Limit exposure to bright lights and loud soundsĪfter a concussion, you might notice that you’re especially sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds.

Learn more about the connection between less screen time and better sleep. You can also help to counteract the sleep problems associated with concussions by avoiding screens for two hours before going to sleep. As you recover, try to limit the amount of time you spend looking at your phone, laptop, TV, or other screens. Reduce screen timeīright lights and the eyestrain associated with looking at them can sometimes make concussions symptoms worse, especially headaches. In the meantime, try these tips to help you quickly recover from a concussion and get back to your usual activities. They can determine how severe your concussion is and give you more specific recovery tips. It’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor if you think you have a concussion.

Concussion after effects