The doctors told us that this frozen grimace was a short-term loss of consciousness (or convulsions - I don’t remember the details after many years).
All examinations were done at the hospital. They discovered a slightly increased ICP, but could not say whether we had always had it, or the result of an injury.
Did your baby fall and injure his head? After reading this article, you will not only learn how to provide first aid for a concussion, but also become familiar with the basics of treatment and the likely consequences of this type of injury.
First aid for a concussion in a child
If the baby hurts his head, the first thing parents should do is take the baby to the hospital or call an ambulance. It is important to remember that failure to contact a specialist in a timely manner can threaten the child’s health and even his life.
Before the doctor arrives you need to:
- Examine the baby for bruises, scratches and abrasions. If there are open wounds on his head or body, they must be treated with an antiseptic that does not contain alcohol and, if necessary, stop the bleeding. If swelling (bump) occurs, it is necessary to apply a cold material to the site of the bruise: a bottle of cold water or ice (through a towel). If there are limb fractures, apply a splint.
If a little fidget hurts its head on the street and it is not possible to use sterile clean materials, treat the abrasion with clean napkins;
- Place the baby on a hard and comfortable surface , provide him with complete rest. You should not turn on cartoons or music for your child. If the baby is unconscious, he should be turned onto his right side. Check the position of your head; it should be turned to the right side. Otherwise, the child may choke on vomit or suffocate with a sunken tongue.
The baby's left leg should be bent 90 degrees. Why resort to such actions? This position promotes safe breathing.
- Do a heart massage . Used when the pulse is unstable and the presence of hoarse and intermittent breathing;
- If the baby wakes up, place him on a low pillow, cover him and provide him with peace . It is very important not to let the baby fall asleep until the doctors arrive.
After this, tell the arriving doctor about the symptoms and condition of the baby immediately after the fall, as well as about the actions taken.
For expert advice on how to properly provide first aid to adults and children in cases of concussion, watch this video:
Treatment of concussion in children
So, how to treat a concussion in a child? It is prohibited for adults to prescribe or give children any medications on their own, without examination and consultation with a doctor, especially for newborns.
After falls and head injuries, the baby should definitely be shown to a doctor, who, after examination, makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. If necessary, the treatment process can take place in a hospital, where complete and thorough monitoring of the little patient’s condition is ensured.
are hospitalized if a concussion is suspected . First of all, this is due to the fact that in the first 24 hours after a head injury, the baby needs careful monitoring in order to identify signs of more serious traumatic brain injuries in the early stages. Plus, in the hospital it is easier to limit the child’s physical activity and provide him with complete psycho-emotional peace.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe drug therapy. Read on to find out what medications are prescribed for concussions in children.
After discharge, you need to provide the child with a quiet home environment for about 2 weeks. Play quiet games with your baby: less running, noise, and pampering. Limit TV viewing to a minimum.
Concussion: which pills will help with a head injury?
Among all ailments, head diseases are the most dangerous. Most skull injuries result in a concussion. It will not go away on its own and you definitely need to contact a specialist: a neurologist, traumatologist, or neurosurgeon.
After examination, he prescribes injections or pills for concussions. Since this diagnosis is serious, treatment must be carried out responsibly.
How does a concussion occur?
In different situations, a person can get injured: ice, a car accident, loss of consciousness followed by a fall, domestic injuries, dangerous work, a state of drug or alcohol intoxication.
The brain consists of soft tissues and with a sharp blow it shifts in the direction of the push, and then a return movement is created. As a result, the brain can be damaged by contact first with one side of the skull, then with the opposite. During the displacement process, vascular rupture, hematoma, hemorrhage, swelling and similar troubles can occur.
Even if you have a minor injury, you should get checked by a doctor to ensure a healthy future. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to give a person pills due to vomiting during a concussion.
Symptoms and stages
It's easy to overlook the symptoms. Especially if the patient has a mild concussion. But paying close attention to your own health will help you identify the disease in time and take action. The main symptoms are the same for everyone and continue for some time after the patient begins to use the medicine for a concussion. Here are the main symptoms:
- dizziness;
- vomit;
- disorientation in space and time;
- decreased brain activity;
- negative reaction to harsh light;
- headache, often throbbing;
- pallor;
- loss of consciousness (fainting);
- amnesia;
- floaters, ripples before the eyes;
- high body temperature;
- feeling of fear, panic.
Depending on the force of the impact, the age and health of the victim, three stages of concussion can be distinguished. Based on the degree of damage, different treatments are prescribed.
Stage 1
With a minor injury, most often the patient does not lose consciousness, but if this happens, the fainting lasts no longer than 5 minutes. Such people experience dizziness, blurred vision, and pallor. Medical help is definitely needed.
Stage 2
A moderate degree of damage is characterized by loss of consciousness for 10-15 minutes, vomiting, numbness in the fingers, ringing in the ears, and severe headache. You don't have to decide for yourself which medications to take for a concussion. Leave this to the discretion of the doctor - he has the knowledge and experience.
Stage 3
With significant injury, a person vomits, feels dizzy, and has loud noise in the ears. Fainting can last up to half an hour. Memory cannot recall recent events; This is practically shell shock.
Concussion in children and adults: similarities and differences
In adults and children, the diagnosis and course of the disease, as well as the frequency of injury, differ.
Children
Kids cannot explain their feelings. Therefore, parents need to be attentive to the child and his behavior. If he is vomiting, refuses to eat, cries more than usual, there is a deterioration in coordination (for example, the baby has already eaten with a spoon himself, but at a certain moment he could not pick it up properly) - this is a reason to consult a doctor.
In addition, children are more prone to injury, because they are restless, active, but still have poor control of movements and calculation of strength. If a child suffers a head injury in the presence of his parents, there is no need to wait for symptoms to appear; immediately take the victim to the emergency room.
Adults
More often than not, adults behave carefully, but no one is immune from injury. At the first suspicion of a concussion, you should contact a neurologist or an emergency room. Enduring pain and taking pills to relieve symptoms during a concussion is very harmful.
Aged people
This category of people gets injured less often, but tolerates them worse. After a concussion, older people may develop dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and amnesia. Therefore, treatment for concussions in grandparents includes anti-sclerotic drugs. The dosage is calculated taking into account the age, weight and condition of the patient.
First aid to the victim
If a person suffers a head injury on the street, only a doctor can prescribe medication for a concussion. Therefore, it is necessary to provide first aid, but not to aggravate the situation. Here is a list of actions for a person without medical education.
- Place the patient on his side. Thus, a person will not choke on vomit, and his tongue in an unconscious state will not block the airway.
- If the head injury is open or other significant injuries are noticeable (fracture of a leg, spine, etc.), you should not move the victim of misfortune. Simply turn the victim's head to the side and monitor his breathing.
- Treat wounds on the head with an antiseptic and the edges with iodine (if you have a first aid kit with you).
- Call an ambulance and wait for it to arrive. Tell the doctors under what circumstances the injury occurred, how long ago, what medications the person is taking, whether he is intoxicated, how long he has been unconscious, and the like. Even unimportant details can play a leading role in the choice of prescribed drugs and which treatment to choose.
Diagnostics
To get a complete picture, doctors send a patient with a suspected concussion for a comprehensive examination and only then prescribe medications for a concussion.
A person undergoes an X-ray, computed tomography, and less often an MRI, since it is not always informative in the case of a concussion in children or adults. Consultation with an ophthalmologist, EEG examination, and ultrasound are recommended.
Drug treatment
For any person, a concussion is an injury for which you will have to receive medication in the form of injections or IVs. In mild stages, take medications orally, in tablet form.
Treating a concussion is a long process. It may take 2-4 weeks.
During this entire time, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to each prescribed medicine, understand the name, read the instructions and take it correctly.
The patient must be hospitalized and receive basic treatment in the hospital under the supervision of specialists. After a concussion at home, you need to stick to a routine, get more rest and not overexert yourself.
If a patient is diagnosed with a concussion, treatment must begin; the doctor selects medications for each specific case and calculates the dosage. But there are general instructions and recommendations on which pills to prescribe.
- First, we need nootropic drugs for concussions. They will restore health to the brain: Piracetam, Stugeron, Glycine, Nootropil.
- To strengthen blood vessels, vasotropic agents are prescribed: Instenon, Cavinton, Teonicol.
- To reduce swelling and reduce intracranial pressure, diuretics with a diuretic effect are used: Veroshpiron, Diacarb, Uregit.
- To reduce headaches and stop vomiting, Papaverine, Belloid, Tanakan are suitable.
- To normalize sleep and the general condition of the patient, tranquilizers are prescribed: Phenazepam, Dormiplant, Phenobarbital.
- Next are medications to prevent seizures and epilepsy. Such drugs are prescribed only if, according to research, a person has a predisposition to epileptic seizures. But for older people, these drugs are prescribed in any case.
- Antisclerotic agents for the elderly.
- Vitamins.
- Sleeping pills.
- Sedatives and sedatives are also required: valerian, Corvalol, motherwort.
- Special tablets for dizziness may be prescribed separately.
Concussion in a child: consequences
With correctly provided first aid, as well as with an effective treatment strategy, in most cases, no symptoms are observed. If adults neglected the symptoms and did not seek qualified help, there is a high probability that the consequences of a concussion in children will not be avoided. Possible:
- frequent headaches;
- memory problems;
- fast fatiguability;
- sleep disorders;
- irritability;
- weather sensitivity.
In extreme cases, undiagnosed head trauma can lead to serious and irreversible complications, such as frequent epileptic seizures.
It is worth noting that the symptoms of a concussion can be very similar to a number of other more serious traumatic brain injuries and, neglecting these signs, you can endanger the life and health of the child. Treatment at home is highly discouraged.
Glycine for head injuries
Concussion is one of the most common consequences of head injury.
Despite the rather calm attitude of many patients towards this diagnosis, it can bring a lot of trouble.
Therefore, it is extremely important to understand what medications are needed for concussions in adults, and especially in children, in order to avoid complications in the present and future. But first things first…
How to Identify a Concussion, Symptoms and Signs
So, a concussion is a diagnosis that doctors often make for various head injuries, falls, and even sudden shocks (for example, small children). The danger lies not so much in the momentary manifestation, but in the presence of unpleasant consequences that can manifest themselves after several weeks or even months.
How neurons react to a concussion
Determining the presence of a concussion is not difficult and can be done based on a combination of symptoms. Thus, there are three stages of concussion:
- First (lung).
- Second (middle).
- Third (severe).
A mild concussion is characterized by the following symptoms:
- disorientation;
- buzzing in my head.
These symptoms disappear within 10-15 minutes.
A moderate concussion is characterized by:
- fainting;
- stunned;
- disorientation in space;
- dizziness;
- nausea.
These symptoms last up to 20-25 minutes.
As for the third stage, its symptoms are similar to those of the second stage, plus loss of consciousness is added to them. As a rule, all other symptoms begin to appear after the victim has regained consciousness.
In addition, the second and third stages are characterized by memory loss. If in the first case it is for a short period of time, then in the second it is for a longer period and the areas of the brain responsible for long-term memory can be affected.
First aid
It is important to know how to provide first aid to a victim in order to avoid unwanted consequences.
So, a short reminder of what to do when providing first aid before the doctors arrive:
- Calm the victim if he is conscious.
- Place his body in a horizontal position on a flat surface.
- Apply a cold compress to your head (an ice pack, a towel soaked in cold water, or any frozen product). If the incident happened on the street, you can soak any thing in water and apply it to your head.
- In case of fainting, the victim must be turned on his side to prevent clogging of the airways with vomit.
- In case of mild fainting, try to bring the person to his senses (patting the cheeks, using a cotton swab with ammonia).
- The most important thing is that the victim cannot drink water; you can only lightly moisten your lips with a wet cloth.
Drug therapy
Despite the relatively mild nature of this diagnosis and the lack of indications for prescribing medications, in particularly severe cases, medical intervention is possible. Such therapy includes the following groups of drugs:
- painkillers;
- nootropic;
- vasotropic;
- diuretics;
- sedatives;
- tranquilizers;
- vitamin support.
Painkillers
Headaches are one of the most common accompanying symptoms of a concussion. It is to eliminate it that painkillers are prescribed, which include:
- analgin;
- maxigan;
- sedalgin;
- pentalgin.
Analgin
Helps eliminate headaches in case of concussion and is a potent medicine. The effectiveness of this medicine has been proven by numerous studies.
Release form:
- Candles.
- Pills.
- Powder.
- Injections, for intramuscular administration.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to components;
- first and last trimester of pregnancy;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- asthma;
- low blood pressure.
The maximum dose for an adult is not more than 2000 mg.
Price from 13 to 63 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Maxigan
An alternative drug to analgin that reduces pain after a concussion.
Release form:
- Pills.
- Injection.
Contraindications:
- kidney or liver disease;
- intestinal obstruction;
- chronic heart failure;
- individual intolerance or sensitivity to the components of this drug;
- the first and last trimester of pregnancy, as well as the period of breastfeeding.
detailed contraindications are indicated in the instructions for use of the drug
The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets or 4 ml injection (the order of use for children and adults is described directly in the instructions for the medicine).
Price from 23 to 423 rubles, depending on the supplier
Sedalgin
This drug is used for moderate or mild pain syndrome and is an analogue of analgin, including in composition.
Release form:
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 12 years of age;
- individual intolerance to the drug or hypersensitivity to its components;
- insomnia;
- atherosclerosis;
- diseases of the kidneys, liver or blood system.
Price from 120 to 210 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Pentalgin
An anesthetic with a different composition of auxiliary and main components from analgin. It is a good analogue, especially when it is necessary to replace the drug in order to prevent the body from becoming addicted to another medicine.
Release form:
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 18 years of age;
- some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- renal failure.
a complete list of contraindications is indicated in the instructions for the drug
Duration of administration is no more than 5 days, the maximum daily dose is no more than 4 tablets.
Price from 46 to 160 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Nootropics
This group of drugs is the basis for the treatment of head trauma and concussion. The basis of their actions is the normalization of metabolic processes in the brain, which in turn helps to normalize nutrition and blood supply to the brain.
In addition, they help eliminate the adverse effects of poor blood supply to nerve cells due to hematoma, etc.
The group of neuroprotectors (nootropic drugs) includes:
- piracetam;
- glycine;
- Cavinton;
- cinnarizine.
Piracetam
Release form:
Contraindications:
- breastfeeding period;
- renal failure;
- hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to components;
- Use this medicine with caution during pregnancy.
The duration of treatment in children is no more than 3 weeks, in adults no more than 6 weeks. The maximum daily dose, in case of severe condition of the patient, cannot exceed 12 g.
Price from 31 to 84 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Glycine
Release form:
Source: https://adminlen.ru/glicin-pri-ushibe-golovy/
Medications for concussions in children
What is prescribed for children with a concussion? After a diagnosis has been made, the doctor may prescribe medication to treat a traumatic brain injury. We will talk about the medications that are most often prescribed, among them the following:
- diuretics in combination with potassium supplements. Prescribed to prevent or eliminate swelling of the scalp tissue (Diacarb, Furosemide, Panangin and others);
- painkillers are used for prolonged and severe headaches (Analgin, Sedalgin);
- antihistamines promote calm and help normalize the sleep of a young patient (Suprastin, Diazolin);
- antiemetic medications are prescribed for severe nausea, prolonged and profuse vomiting (Cerucal);
- nootropic drugs are intended to stimulate metabolic processes in the brain, as well as to normalize its functioning (Glycine, Cavinton, Pantogam);
- sedatives are prescribed to normalize sleep and reduce the baby’s excitability. These can be either tablets (Phenazepam) or various infusions (valerian root);
- general vitamins are intended to strengthen and restore the child’s body.
What to do if a child has a concussion: video
We recommend that you watch the video in which a pediatric neurologist explains the procedure for an adult to deal with a concussion in children:
Glycine is a complex of amino acids that together help improve metabolic processes in brain structures. Under the influence of these amino acids, the rate of glucose metabolism and the absorption of oxygen molecules significantly increases. Sometimes glycine is taken in the form of a sterile solution to provide parenteral nutrition to the body.
The chemical composition of the drug contains an amino acid, which is usually included in the human diet in a non-essential form, but its amount is not large enough to produce a pronounced therapeutic effect. When a sufficient amount of glycine enters the bloodstream, the effect of inhibition of central neurotransmitters occurs. Against this background, an antidepressant effect develops in combination with a sedative and calming effect.
If you regularly take the required dosage, blocking of adrenergic receptors develops against the background of accelerating the reaction to oxidize the products of the brain. The completeness of the antioxidant effect increases. The therapeutic effect is achieved by regulating the activity of receptors in NMDA structures.
• Reducing the level of psycho-emotional stress;
• Decrease in blood pressure to normal levels;
• Increased brain activity, manifested in increased productivity and quality of mental work;
• Improving the process of falling asleep and the depth of night sleep;
• Increase in general mood;
• Lack of conflict due to reduced aggressiveness;
• Reduction of general excitability of the central nervous system.
Indications for the use of glycine:
• State of psychological and emotional stress;
• A sharp decrease in mental labor productivity;
• Neuroses and neurasthenia;
• Deviant behavior of children in adolescence;
• Complex therapy of alcoholism;
• Consequences of ischemic stroke with predominant damage to the vessels of the cerebral system;
• Increased convulsive readiness in children in the newborn period;
• Head injuries with consequences in the form of concussion.
Glycine tablets can be taken even by infants to eliminate the consequences of a birth injury or in the presence of signs of increased excitability. In infants, glycine helps prevent the development of convulsive syndrome in disorders of the peripheral and central nervous system.
Drug therapy
Despite the relatively mild nature of this diagnosis and the lack of indications for prescribing medications, in particularly severe cases, medical intervention is possible. Such therapy includes the following groups of drugs:
- painkillers;
- nootropic;
- vasotropic;
- diuretics;
- sedatives;
- tranquilizers;
- vitamin support.
Painkillers
Headaches are one of the most common accompanying symptoms of a concussion. It is to eliminate it that painkillers are prescribed, which include:
- analgin;
- maxigan;
- sedalgin;
- pentalgin.
Analgin
Helps eliminate headaches in case of concussion and is a potent medicine. The effectiveness of this medicine has been proven by numerous studies.
Release form:
- Candles.
- Pills.
- Powder.
- Injections, for intramuscular administration.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to components;
- first and last trimester of pregnancy;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- asthma;
- low blood pressure.
The maximum dose for an adult is not more than 2000 mg.
Price from 13 to 63 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Maxigan
An alternative drug to analgin that reduces pain after a concussion.
Release form:
- Pills.
- Injection.
Contraindications:
- kidney or liver disease;
- intestinal obstruction;
- chronic heart failure;
- individual intolerance or sensitivity to the components of this drug;
- the first and last trimester of pregnancy, as well as the period of breastfeeding.
detailed contraindications are indicated in the instructions for use of the drug
The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets or 4 ml injection (the order of use for children and adults is described directly in the instructions for the medicine).
Price from 23 to 423 rubles, depending on the supplier
Sedalgin
This drug is used for moderate or mild pain syndrome and is an analogue of analgin, including in composition.
Release form:
- Pills.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 12 years of age;
- individual intolerance to the drug or hypersensitivity to its components;
- insomnia;
- atherosclerosis;
- diseases of the kidneys, liver or blood system.
Price from 120 to 210 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Pentalgin
An anesthetic with a different composition of auxiliary and main components from analgin. It is a good analogue, especially when it is necessary to replace the drug in order to prevent the body from becoming addicted to another medicine.
Release form:
- Pills.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 18 years of age;
- some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- renal failure.
a complete list of contraindications is indicated in the instructions for the drug
Duration of administration is no more than 5 days, the maximum daily dose is no more than 4 tablets.
Price from 46 to 160 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Nootropics
This group of drugs is the basis for the treatment of head trauma and concussion. The basis of their actions is the normalization of metabolic processes in the brain, which in turn helps to normalize nutrition and blood supply to the brain.
In addition, they help eliminate the adverse effects of poor blood supply to nerve cells due to hematoma, etc.
The group of neuroprotectors (nootropic drugs) includes:
- piracetam;
- glycine;
- Cavinton;
- cinnarizine.
Piracetam
Release form:
- Pills.
- Injection.
Contraindications:
- breastfeeding period;
- renal failure;
- hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to components;
- Use this medicine with caution during pregnancy.
The duration of treatment in children is no more than 3 weeks, in adults no more than 6 weeks. The maximum daily dose, in case of severe condition of the patient, cannot exceed 12 g.
Price from 31 to 84 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Glycine
Release form:
- Pills.
- Capsules.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to components.
Price from 31 to 90 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Cavinton
Release form:
- Pills.
- Ampoules.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 18 years of age;
- lactose intolerance;
- presence of arrhythmia;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
The course of treatment cannot exceed three months. The maximum daily dose is 30 mg.
Price from 170 to 350 rubles, depending on the form of release and supplier.
Cinnarizine
Release form:
- Pills.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- Parkinson's disease.
The dosage is selected by the doctor individually.
Price from 25 to 40 rubles, depending on the supplier.
Vasotropic agents
In addition to nootropic drugs, vasotropic drugs, which are primarily used to impart elasticity to the walls of blood vessels, are widely used in the drug treatment of concussions. This property is necessary to counteract pressure from a possible hematoma, and accordingly to reduce the risk of vascular rupture.
In addition, vasotropic drugs help accelerate the transport of oxygen by red blood cells. Blood viscosity is normalized and metabolism in the walls of blood vessels is activated.
It is important that the percentage of the ratio of vasotropic and nootropic drugs should be determined by the doctor, depending on the severity of the concussion; you should not prescribe one or another dosage yourself, this can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Vasotropic drugs include:
- Mexidol;
- oxybral;
- Actovegin.
Mexidol
Release form:
- Pills.
- Ampoules.
Contraindications:
- liver and kidney failure:
- individual intolerance to the drug;
- childhood.
The maximum daily dose is 800 mg.
Price from 231 to 2130 rubles depending on the form of release and supplier.
Oxybral
Release form:
- Capsules.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- childhood;
- individual intolerance to components;
- acute stroke;
- a brain tumor;
- convulsive conditions;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the violations and can be up to one year. The maximum daily dose is no more than 2 capsules.
Price from 1000 to 1500 rubles depending on the supplier.
Actovegin
Release form:
- Pills.
- Solution.
- Gel.
- Ointment.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- pulmonary edema;
- heart failure;
- not removing fluid from the body.
The dosage and method of administration are calculated individually by the attending physician.
Price from 579 to 1544 rubles, depending on the supplier and the form of the medicine.
It is extremely unwise to take this drug on your own, since even doctors give test injections before using it, as there is a possibility of developing anaphylactic shock.
Diuretics
This group of drugs goes by several names - dehydrants or diuretics. They are designed to remove excess water from the human body.
