Concussion shouldn't be taken lightly

Treating concussion correctly

Treating concussion correctly can help prevent unpleasant long-term effects. Find out here why it makes good sense to see a doctor if you think you may have suffered a mild concussion.
It can happen so quickly. If you lose concentration, you can easily knock your head on an open kitchen cupboard door, for example, while emptying the dishwasher. Of course, there's a big difference between a bump and a concussion. If the indications are serious, you should definitely see a doctor.

A range of symptoms

Doctors refer to concussion as mild traumatic brain injury. The symptoms will depend on the severity of the injury. As well as headaches, dizziness and balance disorders, you may experience impaired vision, light sensitivity, nausea and concentration problems. So, if concussion is suspected, you should consult a doctor as quickly as possible. Even mild traumatic brain injury should not be taken lightly, as it can have long-term effects. Severe or repeated concussions have been shown to increase the risk of dementia in old age, while in children they have a negative impact on academic performance.

Getting the right treatment is crucial

Following a blow to the head or a fall and the associated symptoms (as explained in "A range of symptoms"), the doctor will prescribe rest and, where necessary, pain relief. In many cases this treatment will be sufficient and the symptoms will disappear after a few days. Symptoms persist or get worse in about 10%-35% of cases. In these cases, waiting to see what happens is counterproductive. Coordinated investigation and treatment, as indicated by the medical diagnosis, are required in order to alleviate persistent symptoms and prevent complications. If treatment is successful, patients will be able to return to normal life after just one week. If, however, the symptoms are left untreated for too long, patients may experience additional symptoms such as fatigue or exhaustion.

santé24 – your Swiss telemedicine service

Medical help around the clock: The doctors and medical specialists at santé24 are there for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to answer questions relating to prevention, illness, accident and maternity. Advice is free of charge to SWICA customers.


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In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.