Concussion Clinic
Concussions are unfortunately the most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). They occur when enough pressure and/or impact is placed on the brain. The term concussion is used interchangeably by health professionals with the term mild TBI, which emphasizes concussions as the mildest form of TBI. Consistent with their mild nature, concussions typically do not result in any structural changes to the brain. While they are the mildest form of TBI, concussions still need to be taken seriously. If neglected and/or treated improperly, individuals with concussion are at significantly increased risk for prolonged recovery and/or significantly decreased quality of life.
Since no concussion is the same, RIW’s doctors have access to the multidisciplinary team and are able to coordinate multidisciplinary concussion rehabilitation under one roof. Whether a patient is experiencing headaches, cognitive challenges, vision changes, vestibular sensitivities, dizziness, light or sound sensitivity, physical or cognitive fatigue, sleep dysregulation, or other concussion symptoms, RIW’s team has the expertise to address a patient’s comprehensive needs.
Why is RIW different from other concussion clinics in Seattle?
RIW’s concussion clinic includes speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, providers specialize in concussion management. Since a patient can receive their at RIW, the providers communicate regularly and can coordinate care in a way that improves interdisciplinary communication and reduces the impact of the program on a patient’s schedule to support rapid recovery.
What to do if you suspect you had a concussion
If you demonstrate any of the following signs or symptoms following a head injury, present immediately to the ED (these may be signs of more serious injury):
- Loss of consciousness/altered consciousness.
- Confusion/disorientation
- Loss of memory for the event and/or loss of memory for any events just before or just after the event
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe headache that will not go away
- Weakness/Numbness in the extremities
- Changes in vision that do not go away
- Slurred speech or difficulties with speech
- Seizure activity
If you are experiencing unfamiliar signs or symptoms following a head injury, it is likely that you sustained a concussion. Here are some of the most common symptoms following concussion:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Fatigue/Drowsiness
- Mental Fogginess/Difficulties with memory and concentration
- Blurred/double vision
- Light/sound sensitivity
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or any symptoms which are unfamiliar to you, here is a recommended step by step plan to start your recovery:
- Schedule an appointment with the RIW concussion clinic immediately. Research suggests those who get into a concussion specialist sooner can recover more quickly and are at significantly decreased risk for prolonged recovery.
- If you sustained your head injury within the last 24 hours, it is okay to take it a little more easily than usual.
- It is okay to use electronics, to move around, and to complete your normal daily activities so long as you feel safe doing so. You will likely feel symptoms when completing some activities, though you are not doing any harm to yourself or your brain. It is also highly encouraged to begin engaging in some non-risk physical exercise (i.e., exercise which does not place you at a risk to hit your head again).
- If you work in a profession requiring operation of heavy machinery and/or participation in high-risk situations (e.g., truck drivers, medical professionals providing surgery, emergency responders, etc.), it is not recommended that you continue with these activities until formally evaluated in clinic.
More information about concussions
When a biomechanical force impacts the head, the brain shakes rapidly in the skull, neurons within the brain bend, forcing the brain into an acute state of energy crisis. This energy crisis results in the brain having to work harder than normal to function and complete normal activities. It also results in symptoms, particularly when engaging in these normal day to day activities that would typically not otherwise result in symptoms.