Are concussions different in older adults?
Much of the research into concussions focuses on younger people, particularly athletes, said Benjamin Emanuel, a neurologist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California. But doctors have identified a cluster of unique factors that put older adults at a higher risk of severe complications following a concussion.
The anatomy of the aging brain can predispose it to more serious brain injury: For instance, older adults are at a higher risk of tearing blood vessels in their brains, Dr. Salinas said. And taking anticoagulation medications, like blood thinners, which is more prevalent in an older population, can elevate the risk of bleeding in the brain.
Dr. Vavilala added that older adults may also have mood disorders like depression, which can worsen in the wake of a concussion, for reasons that experts don’t fully understand.
How do you treat a concussion?
There is no one drug to cure a concussion, Dr. Manley said. Instead, patients can manage symptoms with rest, physical therapy and medication as needed. But, he added, most older patients can, and usually do, make a full recovery.
People should consult their doctor about which over-the-counter medications they should take to manage headache symptoms, Dr. Lumba-Brown said.
Treatment for mild cases mainly involves rest, avoiding mental and physical exertion. “It’s like nursing a sprain,” Dr. Emanuel said. The basic building blocks of good health — restful sleep, ample hydration, regular check-ins with a primary care physician, as well as social support from friends and family — can all help.
Most older adults will recover from a concussion in about a month, Dr. Lumba-Brown said, but around a third will take longer than that. Patients who have bleeding in the brain may have a more prolonged recovery time, she added, which is why it is important to seek treatment right away.
