Concussions are often discussed in the context of their immediate and most recognizable symptoms: headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and sound. However, there are several lesser-known concussion symptoms that can have significant impacts on individuals recovering from concussions. These symptoms are not always talked about but deserve more attention due to their potential to affect daily life and recovery processes. Let’s delve into three concussion symptoms that deserve more attention:
1. Emotional Instability
Emotional instability is one of the lesser-known concussion symptoms. This can manifest as sudden mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or even symptoms of depression. The brain’s injury can disrupt the regulation of emotions, leading to feelings that are unpredictable and overwhelming for the individual. Often, these emotional changes are unexpected and can be challenging to manage, both for the person experiencing them and for those around them.
Understanding and recognizing emotional instability as a symptom of concussion is crucial for proper management and support during recovery. Furthermore, identifying and treating the specific muscles that can put pressure onto the vagus nerve and affect the amygdala (the emotional centre of the brain) can help individuals regain emotional balance while recovering from a concussion.
2. Cognitive Fatigue
Concussion recovery often emphasizes physical rest. However, cognitive fatigue is a symptom that receives less attention but can be equally debilitating. Cognitive fatigue refers to an overwhelming sense of mental tiredness or difficulty concentrating, which can occur even after minimal mental exertion. Activities that require sustained attention or multitasking can quickly exhaust someone experiencing cognitive fatigue.
This symptom can significantly impact daily life, including work or school responsibilities. Managing cognitive fatigue involves carefully balancing mental activities with adequate rest periods. Additionally, specific muscles along the base of the skull can reduce blood flow to the brain, which can decrease brain function. Moore MyoWorx concussion treatment decreases tension in these muscles and increases blood flow to the brain. This increased blood flow provides a healthy healing environment, helping to restore brain function and eliminate symptoms.
3. Visual Disturbances
Visual disturbances are another type of lesser-known concussion symptoms. These can range from blurry vision and difficulty focusing to sensitivity to light and visual motion sensitivity (VMS). Visual disturbances often occur due to disruptions in the brain’s processing of visual information following a head injury. This can lead to challenges with reading, using screens, or even navigating visually complex environments.
One example of why visual disturbances occur is when the eyes do not work together correctly. This can be caused by key muscles in the neck putting pressure on the nerves that operate eye movements. When the eyes do not take in information correctly, it can affect how the information is processed in the visual cortex of the brain. This in turn can impede your short-term memory when reading, such that you have trouble remembering what you just read. In addition to effectively identifying and treating the specific muscles that can impact eye movements, adjusting work or study environments to minimize visual stress can also help alleviate symptoms.
Conclusion
Concussions are complex injuries that extend beyond their immediate physical symptoms. Emotional instability, cognitive fatigue, and visual disturbances are three examples of symptoms that can profoundly impact individuals recovering from concussions. By shedding light on these less-discussed symptoms, we can enhance understanding and support for those navigating the challenges of concussion recovery.
Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking appropriate medical guidance and support are essential steps in ensuring a smoother recovery process. As awareness grows, so too does the potential for improved management strategies and outcomes for individuals affected by concussions.
At Moore MyoWorx we specialize in identifying and addressing the root cause of complex symptoms such as emotional instability, cognitive fatigue, and visual disturbances. Contact us now to get started on your concussion recovery journey.