Cass Regional Medical Center | Wellness Matters | Fall 2018

6 cassregional.org | 816-380-3474 | Fall 2018 Could it be a concussion? We hear a lot about concussions in professional athletes. But even people who don’t play sports can get a concussion— for instance, from falling and bumping their head. A concussion is a brain injury. And although most people recover without any problems, it’s important to see a doctor for a concussion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of a concussion generally fall into four categories. Not all of these signs or symptoms may appear right away—in fact, some may appear months after the injury. Mental Physical Difficulty thinking clearly. Headache. Fuzzy or blurry vision. Difficulty remembering new information. Nausea or vomiting (early on). Dizziness. Difficulty concentrating. Sensitivity to noise or light. Balance problems. Feeling slowed down. Feeling tired. When you might need immediate help Some warning signs that may appear after a blow or jolt to the head or body can signal an emergency, reports CDC. These include: w w Headache that gets worse or doesn’t go away. w w Weakness, numbness or poor coordination. w w Persistent vomiting or nausea. w w Slurred speech. w w Drowsiness or not waking up. w w Having one pupil that looks bigger than the other. w w Seizures, confusion or other unusual behavior. Mood Sleep Nervousness or anxiety. Sleeping more than usual. Being more emotional than usual. Sleeping less than usual. Irritability. Trouble falling asleep. Sadness. DON’T HAVE A PCP? Our providers are taking new patients. Make the call You want to live a longer, healthier life, right? So if it’s been a while since you’ve had face time with your primary care provider (PCP), schedule a visit today. Regular checkups with your PCP— that’s the primary person you see for nonemergency health—will help you stay healthy. He or she will make sure you’re getting the right screening tests and exams to find any health problems early, when the chance of effective treatment is better. Your PCP will also: w w Keep a close watch on any existing health problems. w w Help you make healthy lifestyle choices. w w Refer you to a specialist when necessary. Archie Medical Clinic: 816-430-5777 Drexel Medical Clinic: 816-619-3000 Garden City Medical Clinic: 816-773-6203 Harrisonville Medical Clinic: 816-380-7470 Kingsville Medical Clinic: 816-597-3500 Peculiar Medical Clinic: 816-779-1100 Pleasant Hill Medical Clinic: 816-540-2111