Dealing With Headaches

Getting a concussion will definately give you a headache. Not only headache, but often dizziness, extreme confusion, sudden sleepiness and nausea. This is a serious head pain condition. Most concussions do get better on their own — provided the patient rests — but sometimes a concussion is the warning sign that there is more serious damage to the head.

What Is A Concussion?

A concussion is a head injury where some other object clonks into your head. In a famous and beloved episode of M*A*S*H, Hawkeye get s concussion from having his jeep overturn. Falling onto the road gave him the concussion. He then is taken in by a Korean family that can’t understand a word he says.

One thing Hawkeye says is that he is scared of falling asleep because he knows he has a concussion. This is actually an irrational fear — but one you’ll probably have. But sleeping is actually one of the best things you can do (provided it’s safe for you to nap where you are). The body often seems to reapir itself when you sleep.

My Last Concussion

Unfortunately, becuase I’m partially blind, I’ve had more concussions than I can remember…uhh, probably because I’ve more concussions than I can remember. My latest misadventure was when I was working at a *a-hem* famous department store. They had a T-shirt display that I accidentally walked directly into. I was told the blow spun me in a half circle, and shoppers in the entire department heard the CLONK. I was also told me face went chalk white.

I had quite a red mark on the left side of my forehead. I was shaky and suddenly groggy…and quite embarrassed. That display had been there for months and I was the first person to walk right into it.

I was given an ice pack and my lunch break, and was able to eat. However, I then nearly fainted and couldn’t figure out what was going on. The human resources manager called the ambulance, which was the best thing she could’ve done. Then she called to have the T-shirt display removed.

I was given x-rays and then told all I had to do was stay in bed for a week. What do you know — it worked.

Concussion First Aid

Rest, ice packs to the area of impact and painkillers (but NOT aspirin! — it could make your head more prone to bleed.) Ibuprophen and acetominophen are OK.

Repeat as necessary.

When To Go To Hospital

Any child getting a concussion and then passes out should go to the hospital immediately.

If you still aren’t feeling any better after an hour, get an ambulance. Don’t drive yourself!

You should call an ambulance for yourself or anyone else with a concussion if there are:

• Siezures (Something has definatley been injured badly)
• Vomiting or extreme nausea
• Dizziness or vertigo (vertigo is when the room keeps spinning)
• Ringing in the ears or any sudden hearing loss
• Sudden loss of memory
• Hallucinations
• Sudden loss of smell
• Sudden loss of taste

You need to go for x-rays (at least) to determine that there isn’t a fracture in the skull. Often, you’ll need a CAT scan, especially if you are under 16, can’t recall getting clonked on the head, had the concussion as a result of a motorcycle accident or fell at a height of more than three feet. The doctor may admidt you to the hospital overnight, where you are checked every two hours to see if you can wake up and remember who and where you are.

Personally, I cannot remember what machine my head was stuck into. All I know was that I was there in the emergency room for ten hours. But it could’ve been much worse.

Hope this helps.