Dietary considerations for mild concussion

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on December 22, 2024
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Mild concussions usually do not show organic damage on a head CT; they are temporary functional dysfunctions of brain neural functions, typically manifesting as brief post-injury consciousness disturbances and retrograde amnesia. The diet for patients with mild concussions should avoid cold, raw, or strongly irritating foods, such as spicy dishes, and refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking. Their diet should primarily consist of light, easy-to-digest foods, high in protein and vitamins, but low in fat and sugar, including plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Symptoms of concussion

The primary symptoms of concussion mainly manifest as, initially, disturbances in consciousness such as patient comas, typically lasting no longer than half an hour. The second is recent memory loss, where the patient is unable to recall the circumstances of the injury. At the time of injury, the patient may also appear pale and experience a drop in blood pressure. Post-injury symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, poor sleep, reduced memory, lack of concentration, and even tinnitus among various other clinical manifestations.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Concussions are classified into several types.

Concussions are usually categorized into several levels based on the severity of their clinical symptoms. Generally, the higher the level, the more pronounced the symptoms in patients. They can generally be divided into five levels. Patients with a level one concussion may experience mild consciousness disturbances, but these are short-lived and generally do not leave noticeable residual effects. Patients with a level two concussion might experience slight headaches and dizziness, accompanied by vertigo. Patients with a level three concussion show evident retrograde amnesia. Patients with a level four concussion experience mild disturbances in consciousness, manifesting as states of drowsiness, stupor, or coma. Patients with a level five concussion present with clear clinical symptoms, characterized by recurrent headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Precursors of concussion

Concussions generally do not have precursors, as they occur immediately after the brain is injured and certain clinical symptoms manifest. There is no concept of a precursor with concussions. The clinical symptoms of a concussion primarily appear after a trauma and include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, retrograde amnesia, and brief periods of unconsciousness. These symptoms must all be present to classify as related to a concussion. If symptoms are present and a head CT scan shows no significant bleeding, a concussion can generally be diagnosed. Therefore, there is no such thing as precursors, only related clinical manifestations.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

In clinical practice, we often see mild cases of concussion. After suffering from trauma, patients only show mild symptoms such as headache and dizziness, or may experience nausea. Some patients may not have any symptoms at all, and their recovery tends to be quick, often within two to three days, or even up to about 2 to 3 weeks to fully return to normal. However, for severe cases of concussion, symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting are more pronounced, and some patients may exhibit certain mental, psychological, and behavioral disorders. In these cases, hospitalization is usually required, and the recovery period can be quite lengthy, lasting for over a month, or even up to three months.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How is a concussion diagnosed?

Concussion diagnosis usually includes, first, a history of head trauma; second, after a head CT scan, no significant substantive changes are observed, but the patient has experienced a transient loss of consciousness, typically not exceeding half an hour. Third, there is approximated amnesia where the patient cannot recall the incident. Some may show symptoms such as decreased blood pressure and pale complexion, while others can experience dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, memory deterioration, and lack of concentration among a series of clinical presentations. Diagnosis of concussion can be confirmed through medical history, supplementary examinations, and clinical symptoms.