When a head injury occurs, it’s essential to determine if it resulted in a concussion. By immediately determining the extent of the injury, proper next steps can be planned. Head injuries, in particular, require rapid treatment to prevent lasting damage. This risk is just one of the reasons that telemedicine is an excellent tool for concussion assessment. Using this technology, you can get access to a medical professional that can immediately assess the injury. Learn how telemedicine can be used to diagnose and treat concussions effectively.
The Importance Of Immediate Diagnosis of Concussions, and How Telemedicine Helps
When the head experiences a sudden shock or jolt, a concussion can occur. A concussion is an injury resulting from the brain being injured from moving rapidly inside the skull. Concussions can be severe and even life-threatening, so immediate diagnosis is necessary. If a second concussion should occur, the potential for life-threatening brain swelling is increased significantly.
During the assessment of the concussion, several steps may be taken. These steps often involve questions being asked and simple tests being performed. The assessment will include being asked:
- Their name
- Where they are
- The current time and date
- To describe what just happened to them
- To remember three simple words and repeat them back after a 5-minute conversation
- To spell “world” backward
- To follow a finger with their eyes
- If they are nauseous, dizzy, or have a headache
In addition to these questions, they’ll be checked to determine if:
- They are speaking normally
- They are behaving normally
- Each pupil is the same size
- They are experiencing sound or light sensitivity
- Agitation, confusion, or restlessness are getting worse
Each of these tests can be performed via telemedicine and evaluated immediately by the medical professional. This will determine if immediate treatment is necessary or if a concussion has been avoided. This can save time for the patient, allowing them to immediately return to work or their activity if they’ve been cleared.
If a concussion is identified, the patient will receive care instructions. If immediate medical care isn’t necessary, the following care steps may be suggested:
- Avoid sports or other activities until the symptoms have passed
- Be assigned a concussion exertional protocol, a series of tests to ensure they’re clear of symptoms.
In most cases, concussions will pass within a week. Some people will continue to experience symptoms of the concussion for weeks, months, or more. If the symptoms fail to resolve, additional testing will be ordered.
Don’t Waste Time With Concussions, Try Telemedicine Assessment and Care
There’s no good reason to wait to get the care you need for your concussion. By taking advantage of telemedicine treatment, you’ll ensure you get treated immediately by a qualified professional. This will help to limit the likelihood of lasting symptoms and repeat injury. Getting repeated concussions can lead to longer recovery times and lasting damages. Want to know more? Reach out to your telemedicine health professional today and discuss their services. They’ll be able to provide clear answers and tell you how telemedicine can help you.
