Restoring Maximum Functionality After a Traumatic Brain Injury
After you’ve suffered any type of head injury, if you’re like most people, you just want things to go back to the way they were. If you’re an athlete, you want to get back in the game. If you have other hobbies that involve physical or mental exertion, you want to start enjoying them again. Can you expect a return to the way life was before your injury? How will your life change after a TBI?
The Prospects for a Full Recovery After a Traumatic Brain Injury
As with most things, there’s good news, and there’s not so good news. The not-so-good news: your life will never be exactly the way it was before. Once you’ve had a concussion, your risk for another can increase dramatically. One study found that athletes who suffer a concussion are three to five times more likely to have another one. Accordingly, once you’ve had a traumatic brain injury, you may need to change your lifestyle to minimize the risk of a second concussion.
The good news is that the vast majority of people who suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) can expect a full return to physical and cognitive functionality within a month to six weeks. That means that you’ll be able to do all the things you did before your injury; however, you may have to determine what activities might not be worth the risk.
How Can You Help Improve Your Chances of Maximum Recovery?
The extent to which you fully recover can be affected by the things you do after a TBI:
- Avoid activities that involve significant mental or physical exertion—Your brain needs rest, both physically and cognitively. Don’t start lifting weights, don’t tackle big projects around the house, and don’t try to solve any complex problems.
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol—They can impede the healing process.
- Minimize your screen time—Television, cellphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop screens can all put unnecessary stress on your brain. Minimize use for a couple of months and you’ll improve your chances of maximum recovery.
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, we offer comprehensive treatment of any type of traumatic brain injury, from concussions to severe TBIs. We can quickly assess the severity of your injuries, and we have the tools, experience, and skill to help you maximize your recovery. To learn more, contact Core Medical Center online or call our offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, at (819)229-1941.
