Head Injury Symptoms – Know the Warning Signs and Best Treatments
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Parris Kidd

There are nearly 3 million emergency room visits for head injuries in the U.S. annually.¹

On top of this, there are hundreds of thousands of unreported head injuries each year. Unfortunately, brain or head injuries that don’t result in a loss of consciousness often go unnoticed and are never treated.

Even mild to moderate head injuries can significantly decrease brain function, which can have a far-reaching impact on a person’s life.²

Basic Questions to Ask Yourself

Since many people forget that they’ve had a head injury or trauma, even when asked several times by a family member or medical professional, it’s critical that you ask the right questions to help them remember. Here are a few basic questions to ask yourself.

Have you ever:

• Played football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, rugby, or hockey?
• Fallen out of a tree, down the stairs, off a horse, a bike or a skateboard, or crashed while skiing or snowboarding?
• Been in a motor vehicle accident (even a simple fender bender)?
• Been physically assaulted?
• Been hit directly in the head?
• Blacked out for a few seconds or seen stars?
• Felt dazed or confused for a minute?

Head Injury Symptoms: Know the Warning Signs

While some people display warning signs immediately following a head injury, others don’t develop symptoms until weeks or even months later.³ The result of this delay is that the underlying cause of the symptoms is often forgotten. Here are some of the most common head injury symptoms of mild to moderate head traumas:

• Cognitive changes – poor concentration, memory problems, learning issues, poor judgment and impulsivity, and difficulty putting thoughts into words.
• Physical complaints – dizziness, fatigue, headaches, visual disturbances, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to light and sound, poor balance.
• Psychosocial concerns – mood issues, anger outbursts, irritability, personality changes.

Symptoms can last for hours, days, weeks, or longer. Ignoring your indicators and trying to “tough it out” with any brain injury may make symptoms worse.

Whether you’ve suffered a minor or major hit to the head, implementing these 5 tips can help restore cognitive function:

5 of the Best Ways to Help Restore Cognitive Function

1. Detox with Water

The fluids in your body transport waste products in and out of your cells, while your kidneys and liver flush those waste products and other toxins out of your body. This process can only work properly and efficiently if you remain well hydrated. Your brain is roughly 80% water, so avoid anything that dehydrates it. If you don’t drink enough water, you’re at an increased risk of developing kidney stones and experiencing urinary tract infections. Dehydration also can slow the healing process of your brain.

2. Boost Your Immunity

Boost your immune system by taking antioxidants daily. Vitamin C is a versatile antioxidant and the most dollar-effective antitoxin you can purchase. Curcumin, which gives turmeric and curries their gold color, is also a powerful antioxidant. However, due to the labor-intensive process of extracting sufficient quantities of curcumin from the turmeric root, it’s recommended that you take a well-absorbed supplement daily to get the proper amount of curcumin you need.

3. MAX-imize Your Brain Health

Many people who’ve experienced a head injury don’t know how to get help for their brain. One of the best ways to promote the healing process is with brain directed supplements and vitamins. Fundamental to every vitamin regimen should be a powerful multivitamin, high-purity fish oil, and memory supporting supplement. At BrainMD, we’re proud to recommend…

Brain & Body Power MAX

Brain & Body Power MAX is recommended for those who are interested in a truly powerful dietary supplement for their brains with added memory support. It provides your brain and body with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, botanical extracts and neuro-nutrients – all at advanced levels.

This all-in-one supplement system makes it easy to stay healthy on the go with easy-to-carry packets for your purse or pocket. Each convenient daily packet contains: 2 capsules of NeuroVite Plus, 2 gelcaps of Omega-3 Power, and 3 capsules of Brain & Memory Power Boost.

4. Eat Healthy

Proper nutrition is essential to peak brain function. A healthy diet includes lean protein, fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy fats such as olive oil. It’s recommended that you eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. To help with your meal planning, there are many healthy and delicious recipes in The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook.

5. Take it Easy

From time to time, all of us need to recharge our batteries and self-care is a key to physical and mental health. If you’ve recently had a hit to the head, discontinue activities that could potentially reinjure your brain and give yourself sufficient time to heal. Always consult with a medical professional before engaging in physical activities that might put your brain at risk.

References:

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Parris Kidd

Dr. Parris Kidd, Ph.D., is a pioneering authority in nutritional medicine with a background in zoology and cellular biology from UC Berkeley. His work includes influential research on brain nutrients like PS and GPC, award-winning supplement formulations, and extensive publications. Formerly Chief Science Officer at leading supplement companies, Dr. Kidd is widely respected for his contributions to nutritional science and his commitment to integrity.

Meet the Author

Keith Rowe, Writer

Keith has been a member of the BrainMD team for the past 7 years. Serving as copywriter and editor, he has written 400 blogs and has been involved with the launch of 32 new supplements. He takes many BrainMD supplements daily and his favorite is Neuro-C Vitamin C due to its efficacy and energizing citrus flavor.