Madeleine Castellanos, MD is a functional medicine physician with a specialty in psychiatry, practicing for over 10 years in New York City and South Florida. She is trained in the Bredesen Protocol to reverse cognitive decline and uses a systems-based approach to help patients reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, reduce physical and mood symptoms, and improve overall health.
Concussions are serious head injuries that often go unreported or undiagnosed but have significant cognitive and overall health consequences for individuals. Here Dr. Castellanos answers some questions related to concussion identification and treatment.
Q: What exactly is a concussion, and can I have one without realizing it?
A: A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a quick movement of the head, often-times hitting another object. This rapid movement causes the brain to collide against the inside of the skull enough to produce a type of bruising or inflammation. It could be from a direct hit such as in football or a blow to the head. But even a small fender-bender that results in whiplash or a fall can result in a mild-to-moderate concussion. They are much more common than you think and often go unrecognized.
Q: What symptoms should I look out for to see if I have a concussion?
A: Even though a loss of consciousness is a good indicator of a concussion, there are many other milder symptoms that should be cause for concern as indicators of a concussion. Most people are familiar with the physical symptoms of a concussion – headache, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, blurry vision, balance problems, nausea, or fatigue. But there may also be cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating, easily fatigued by reading or using a technological device, difficulty remembering new information, or not being able to process things as quickly. There can be disturbances in sleep such as an increased need for sleep, or restless sleep and/or difficulty falling asleep. Finally, mood issues can also be a symptom of concussion including anxiety, agitation, irritation, sadness, and even quickly moving from one emotion to another. Symptoms vary from person to person depending on the area of the brain affected, as well as the severity of the concussion.
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