Debunking common concussion myths
It's time for our first episode of GPT Mythbusters!
Our topic today: Concussion Myths!
Here are the most common myths surrounding concussions:
Myth #1: Sports injuries are the main cause of concussions
Myth #2: You always lose consciousness when you get a concussion
Myth #3: You should never sleep after a concussion
Myth #4: You must rest in a dark room to recover from a concussion
Myth #5: It takes months to recover from a concussion
Let’s debunk our first myth, concussions are more commonly caused by falls rather than sports injuries. Concussions happen after an impact to your head or after a whiplash-type injury and 47% of these are attributed to falls, 15% from being hit by an object, and 14% from vehicle crashes!
Onto myth number two, more than 90% of diagnosed concussions occur without a loss of consciousness but pay attention to less obvious signs of a concussion, like confusion and dizziness.
It is a common myth that you shouldn’t fall asleep after a concussion. Studies show that sleep can actually help your brain get the rest it needs after a concussion, especially in the first 24-48 hours. As long as you're stable, you can sleep.
Another myth we hear often is that you must rest in a dark room in order to help your body sleep for a long period of time. Long periods of rest after a concussion may not help recovery. A brief period of rest, about 24-48 hours, is enough along with a gradual return to activity and active rehabilitation are effective ways to treat a concussion after rest.
Lastly, it does not take months to recover from a concussion! The best way to ensure proper recovery is to seek professional treatment. 80% of people diagnosed with a concussion recover in 3 weeks or less!