Can Prescription or Over-the-Counter Drugs Help Alleviate the Symptoms of TBI?
When you’ve suffered a bump or blow to the head, or you’ve had trauma to your head, neck, shoulders or upper body, there’s always a risk that you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). With the wonders of modern science and medicine, particularly with pharmaceutical products available to treat just about any medical condition, you may wonder if there are drugs that can lessen or eradicate the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
Treating a Traumatic Brain Injury with Drugs
While there are no prescription or over-the-counter drugs that directly treat a traumatic brain injury, there are a range of pharmaceutical products that can provide immediate benefit, often helping minimize symptoms and prevent further injury to your brain. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications—In the aftermath of a brain injury, it’s common to experience fluid buildup or retention in and around your brain. The swelling caused by fluid retention/buildup can put additional pressure on your brain. Doctors may prescribe diuretics to lower cerebrospinal fluid and lessen intracranial pressure.
- Anti-convulsant drugs—A TBI can cause the neurons in your brain to become overactive or overstimulated, leading to seizures
- Painkillers—Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can both alleviate pain in the early days after a TBI, but should not be considered a long-term form of treatment of your injury
- Muscle relaxers—The overactivity of neurons can also lead to muscle cramps and spasms, which can be effectively treated with muscle relaxers
Medication Should Always Be a Short-Term Remedy
You should never look for long-term pharmaceutical solutions when you have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The best course of action, after any blow to the head, is to seek immediate attention from an experienced medical practitioner. Your primary care physician has the tools to assess your condition, and can either treat you or refer to a specialist, such as a neurologist or physiatrist, if necessary.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
