A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a thwack to the head. It’s usually a big thwack. But it doesn’t have to be. Even something as “benign” as an errant soccer ball can do it, if it hits you just wrong. The impact and following inflammation disrupts neuronal membranes, cell contents into the surrounding tissue, and blood flow to the brain is reduced. Brain cells ramp up their metabolism to try and repair the damage, using up their (now, limited) fuel, leading to a suffocating build-up of metabolic wastes. All of which, combined with the heightened neuronal excitation, suffocates and fries brain cells.
Everything gets thrown out of kilter, and recovery can take weeks or months. Even after full recovery, concussions, especially multiple concussions, increase our risk of developing dementia and mood disorders including depression as we get older.
Causes & Risk Factors
Concussions are caused typically by a blunt-force trauma, penetrating trauma or a whiplash-like event. Recognized risk factors include:
Participating in contact sports like hockey, football, soccer, martial arts, boxing and wrestling
Participating in non-contact sports like cycling, cheerleading and baseball
Drug and alcohol use
Car accidents
Falls, particularly in young children and the elderly
Being physically abused
Improper use of seatbelts and child safety seats
Improper use of safety equipment in sports
The Effective Concussion Drug-Free Treatment
Do cardio for ~30 min/day
You shouldn’t go for a run as your cardio workout. If you have access to a stationary bike or an elliptical machine, those are ideal for getting your blood pumping without making your concussion worse. If you don’t have access to exercise equipment, do your best to get your heart rate up with calisthenic exercises. If you have any dizziness or difficulty balancing, switch to something that doesn’t aggravate your symptoms. You can read more about how to exercise after a concussion here. If you can’t make it thirty minutes without a sharp increase in symptom severity, just go as long as you can. Physical activity once per day makes a big difference in healing.
Engage In Cognitively Demanding Activities
Now that you’ve gotten your blood pumping, use that extra oxygen to reinforce healthy pathways. Try reading a book or having an intellectually demanding conversation with someone. If that’s not an option, solve a puzzle like Sudoku. Do that for another thirty minutes or as tolerated
Rest And Try Some Normal Activities
This part of traditional concussion advice is good: If you can, give the electronics a break. That’s not to say you can’t have any time in front of screens, but you shouldn’t spend the whole day playing video games. Exposure to normal non-screen activities will help your brain recover. Doing chores, chatting with friends, and even light work could be helpful. Remember to rest in between these activities as needed.
Drink Caffeine
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Critical Care department have found that caffeine has neuroprotective qualities in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The study published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism indicates that higher caffeine levels are associated with more favorable outcomes in the six months following a brain injury.
Turmeric
Researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Georgia have found that curcumin reduces swelling, pain and oxidative brain injury in mice. Turmeric has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression and inflammation, two common side effects of a concussion.
If you’re looking for something else you can do to help your brain heal, consider an anti-inflammatory diet. If that’s too much, reduce your intake of processed foods and refined sugar. Above all, make sure you eat regularly: six small meals per day or three normal sized meals.
