Concussion Treatment Specialist

Are concussions really that serious?

Doctors often describe concussions as “mild” injuries since they often don’t directly endanger your life, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have lasting health effects. You can have long-term health effects even if you don’t lose consciousness.

Most people recover fully, but it could take days, weeks, or longer. Older people or people who’ve experienced repeated concussions often recover more slowly.

What lingering symptoms can concussions cause?

If you suspect you’ve experienced a concussion, don’t ignore it. See a medical professional immediately and follow all of his instructions for immediate post care. If Dr. Morris is unable to provide the emergency treatment, seek his consult for follow-up.

Possible long-term effects of concussion can be:

• Chronic headaches

• Anxiety and depression

• Dizziness

• Compromised mental function

• Weight gain

• Fatigue

• Excessive thirst

• Excessive urination

• Hormone deficiencies 

How does Dr. Morris treat a concussion with hormone therapy?

Two of your major hormone-producing glands -- the pituitary and hypothalamus -- are located near your brain. Thus, your endocrine system can be affected by a concussion. Dr. Morris offers hormone-replacement therapy if it’s suspected your concussion created a deficiency in your male, or female, sex hormones or in human growth hormones. Sometimes, the decrease in your production of these hormones is responsible for the post-concussive symptoms you experience.

Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment help people who have suffered a concussion?

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments involve sitting in a pressurized room or breathing specially pressurized air through a tube. The air is three times more pressurized than the normal air you breathe so you take in more oxygen. An increased amount of oxygen stimulates brain healing due to the accelerated production of growth factor and stem cells. Regular hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been shown to improve cognitive ability and your quality of life after injury -- even if years have passed.

What other steps should I take to heal from a concussion?

If you’ve had a serious blow to your head, allow yourself additional sleep at night and during the day. Only gradually return to your normal activities, and wait for Dr. Morris to clear you to return to sports and physical exercise. Refrain from alcohol until you’re fully healed. Driving, riding a bike, or operating heavy equipment may be put on hold until you’ve restored your normal reaction times. You may need to take time off before you return to work or school.