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Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

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Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

When you have suffered an injury, the first thing that you’re going to wish for is a return to normal health and function as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is usually easier wished for than actually achieved — and most of us accept this. In the event of injury, you’re going to have to wait for your body to heal.

However, it’s worth wondering… is there anything you can do to speed up this process? Is there a way to boost your body’s natural healing ability? Well, as it happens, there is. So whether you’ve had a serious injury requiring the assistance of William R. Rawlings Injury Lawyers to claim recompense for, or have sustained a mild injury caused by clumsiness, here’s how you can boost your body’s ability to recover:

Exercise — gently!

Doing an amount of exercise every day is genuinely beneficial, even when you have suffered an injury. Too much rest can be a bad thing and may even harm your chances of healing quickly. Light exercise that is mildly, not seriously, painful helps to remind your body it needs to heal, as well as oxygenate the damaged area.

Obviously, you have to be very careful about how you do this. If you begin to feel intense pain, or you need to medicate the pain to allow you to exercise, then your body clearly isn’t ready for such strenuous activity. Try and tone your exercise down until you’re comfortable doing it; one of the best exercises to try is swimming, as this is low-impact and the water can help support the injured area.

Before you begin your exercise regimen, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor for their recommendations. They might advise appointments with a physical therapist or sports chiropractor to help get you started. Exercising with an injury needs to be done carefully to avoid causing more damage. This is something you could be doing without even knowing it so getting advice from a professional with the know how is most beneficial.

Find the right supplement:

There are a number of supplements to consider to help promote healing, though it is worth mentioning that there is no absolute proof that these will help. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence for the benefit of supplements, and (providing your doctor agrees) there’s no harm in giving them a try, but it’s probably best not to expect miracles.

  • For broken bones, supplement calcium.
  • For damaged muscles, supplement magnesium.
  • For soft tissue or skin issues, supplement collagen.
  • For cuts or scrapes, using honey to treat the area may help to accelerate healing, though you should only do this under advice from your doctor.

Eat a nutritious diet:

The better your nutrition during the healing process, the faster the healing itself should be. Fill your diet with vegetables if you are seeking to promote quick healing, particularly with dark, leafy greens.

You should also add protein to your diet. The easiest way to achieve this is by eating plenty of meat or, if you’re a vegetarian, tofu. If you’re particularly concerned about your protein intake, then speak to your doctor, as they may be able to recommend a protein shake that would be beneficial for you.

In conclusion:

By trying the above and a little bit of luck, there’s every chance that you’ll be back on your feet, or wherever you injured, in no time.

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Yayyy!

Back To Your Best: Back Care Advice

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Back To Your Best: Back Care Advice

At one point or another as you get older, you are likely to suffer from some sort of back issue. Our modern lives involve a great deal of sitting down in hunched positions, which can lead to problems further down the line. As well as this, being overweight and having poor posture can all contribute towards pain and discomfort. And, as anyone who has suffered from back issues in the past will know, they can be quite debilitating. So, let’s talk through a few of the ways that you can take better care of your back so that you can reduce your risk of developing problems.

Prior to implementing any changes, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor for neck and back pain treatment near you. The solutions might be simple like some of the ones below or they could be more involved. It is important to know that beforehand to prevent your situation from worsening.

Your Choice of Footwear:

It may come as no surprise that high heels cause more stress on your spine, but you may be shocked to learn that ultra-flat shoes like ballet flats and loafers can also be problematic. You should also avoid wearing flip-flops and other backless styles of shoes. All of these footwear types involve you tensing your feet, which will, in turn, put stress on your back. If you are going to wear heels, you are better off wearing small ones (around one inch). Even if you wear trainers all of the time, you need to remember that these wear out over time and will need to be replaced.

Your Workouts:

We have already discussed how a sedentary lifestyle can contribute towards a bad back, but suddenly launching yourself into an extensive workout routine isn’t going to do you much good, either. Instead, you should build up your physical activity slowly if you haven’t done any for a long time. And it is more important to make sure that you are practicing the correct technique – particularly when you are lifting weights of any kind. If you get into any problems, there is more info about a chiropractor here. Regular stretching is also important, especially before and after any workouts.

Your Mattress:

The type of mattress that you are sleeping on every night makes a big difference to the condition of your back. And while you might think that sleeping on a very hard mattress is the best thing if you suffer from back pain, there are actually many studies which dispel this belief. In fact, mattresses of a medium firmness have been found to be best when it comes to alleviating the most common symptoms of back pain. You should also replace your mattress every few years as it will wear down over time and won’t offer the same level of support that it once did.

Your Desk Set-Up:

Many of us have jobs which involve sitting down for hours on end, so you need to make sure that any workstations that you have are set up ergonomically to reduce any back pain issues which could be caused by your desk. You should aim to position your monitor at eye level to avoid having to hunch over to operate your computer. You should also position your chair so that you can rest your feet comfortably on the floor. Get into the habit of assessing your body position on a regular basis to ensure that you are sitting upright in your chair with relaxed shoulders. If you spend more than a couple of hours a day talking on the telephone, it is worth investing in a headset.

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 How is your desk set up?

Your Baggage:

The bags that you carry around regularly can also play their part in damaging your back and affecting your posture. If you have luggage such as a laptop bag that is always worn over one shoulder, you should avoid always wearing it on the same side as this can cause you to put extra stress it. Better still, you should switch to a rucksack which distributes the weight evenly between your shoulders. It is also worth emptying out your bag on a regular basis so that you are not carrying around any more weight than you need to.

Your Car:

Your car can be a particular source of problems if you spend a great deal of the day driving. Many of the issues are caused by seat set-up, so make sure that you position it to suit your needs and use some extra cushions if you feel like they are necessary. The vibrations caused by the car are a source of problems, so you should make sure to take regular breaks when you can to get out of the car and go on a short walk.

Your Health:

We already mentioned being overweight as a major cause of back problems, so you should take steps to cut down on excess pounds. If you are a smoker, you may be shocked to learn that back pain is on the long list of problems closely associated with tobacco usage. It is believed that smoking reduces the blood supply to the discs between the vertebrae, therefore leading to their degeneration. Too much stress can lead you to retain a lot of tension in your body. You should try to reduce the stress in your life, which can be another contributing factor by engaging in breathing techniques and meditation.

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Or yoga!

Back pain is something that you want to avoid at all costs, and these are just a few of the ways that you can reduce your chances of suffering from it.

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6 Things You Should Know About Whiplash

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6 Things You Should Know About Whiplash

Whiplash is a relatively common injury, but it is also incredibly misunderstood. Because of this, whiplash injuries are regularly mistreated, increasing recovery periods by days or weeks. If you believe that you have whiplash or another type of neck injury, it’s important that you know all of the facts before you get (or decide not to get) treatment. Here are six things that you should know about whiplash injuries:

How It Happens:

Whiplash is caused by a sudden backward or forward movement, leading to the ligaments and muscles in the neck to become overstretched, and the joints in the neck to become injured. This is most commonly the result of a rear-end car accident, but can also occur in sports, on roller coasters, and even from a fall.

The Symptoms:

The main symptom of whiplash is aches and pains in the neck and upper back. You might also experience tingling in the neck and upper back, difficulty swallowing, and concussion symptoms like dizziness and headaches. Symptoms and their severity can vary widely between different people, as can the times that these symptoms start to occur. While pain can start to develop immediately, it has been known for whiplash symptoms to take months to arise.

The Diagnosis:

Even if you only have mild pain in your neck, it should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. If they believe that you have fractured any bones, then they will send you for an x-ray. You might also be sent for an MRI or CT scan if you are believed to have sustained significant soft tissues injuries.

Treatment Options:

Most cases of whiplash are treated with some pain medication and sometimes a brace, if doctors believe that it’s required. You will also be encouraged to remain active to reduce the strain on your neck. If your whiplash is more severe, you might be offered physical therapy or spinal manipulation. It could also be recommended that you make a visit to a chiropractor to ease your symptoms. You will want to find a practitioner who comes highly recommended so pay close attention to reviews online and from friends. To start finding the best fit for you, simply enter a search for “chiropractic care near me” and don’t be afraid to call with any of your questions or concerns.

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 😦

The Aftermath:

If your whiplash was the result of a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you might want to visit your lawyer to see if you can make a compensation claim. When you do this, you’ll need evidence of your injury, such as a letter from your doctor. You will also need evidence that you’ve lost money because of the accident, such as with a letter from your employer or a receipt for car damages. If this is the route you are taking, be sure to document everything and do your research to find the best lawyer that will fight until the victims get the justice they deserve. Accidents are a serious thing and deserve to be treated as such.

When you are selecting a lawyer, you will want to find someone highly skilled and recommended for the best outcome. Ask for referrals from friends or enter a search for “car accident lawyer in milwaukee” (or your local area) to read up on online reviews.

Prevention Tips:

Because whiplash happens so suddenly, there is little that you can do to prevent it from occurring. However, caution is important. Whiplash usually occurs as the result of a car accident, so make sure to drive safely, always wear your seat belt, and check that your headrest isn’t too low. It is also helpful to research auto accident attorneys in your local area so that you have someone in your corner should an accident occur. If you participate in a sport, always wear the appropriate protective gear, and if you’re a fan of roller coasters, make sure you always sit back properly.

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It’s usually incredibly difficult to avoid whiplash, but maintaining a good health and knowing the tips above can really help to speed up your recovery.

Featured Image By: Flickr

When An Injury Knocks You Down: Getting Up Again

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When An Injury Knocks You Down: Getting Up Again

Most people will deal with some kind of injury during their life, which might affect them in a significant way. An injury could lead to you being out of work, unable to perform everyday tasks, or suffering a knock to your confidence. It’s important to give yourself time to recover if you ever get hurt. However, the physical health aspect isn’t the only thing that you need to worry about if you suffer an injury. There are other issues, too, such as the financial impact it might have or how it makes you feel emotionally. If you’re recovering from an injury, keep the following things in mind:

Follow Your Doctor’s Advice: If you’ve seen a doctor about your injury, listening to their advice for recovery is essential. If you don’t take care of yourself, you could end up making your injury worse. There might be various treatments that your doctor recommends, from surgery or medication to physical therapy. On the other hand, some advice could be as simple as spending some time with your feet up. If you’re unsure about a doctor’s advice, you can get a second opinion from someone else. Your doctor can also be helpful if you need to take some time off of work or perhaps need some special accommodations at work.

Finding a doctor can be a daunting task if you don’t already have someone in mind. If this is the case for you, seek references from friends and family and do your own research as well. For example, if you are experiencing issues with your shoulder, enter a search for “cure for frozen shoulder Evanston” (or your local area) for practitioners near you.

The Financial Side: Money can be a worry if you suffer an injury. You might have medical bills to pay for, even if you have insurance, and you might have to take time off of work. Both of these things can make you worried about your financial situation. Looking for ways that you might be able to get any financial assistance of compensation could help you. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a slip and fall lawyer could help you get the money you deserve. You can also turn to friends and family to help you out, whether it’s by lending you money or doing something like providing childcare.

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Helpppppp!

The Emotional Effects: Being injured doesn’t always just affect you physically. It can also have an emotional effect, which can be tough to deal with. Talking to someone can be useful if you’re struggling to deal with how the injury or its effects are making you feel. That could just mean chatting with a friend or you might benefit from seeing a professional to help sort the injury woes out.

Getting Back on Your Feet: Getting back to normal can take some work after you’ve experienced an injury. This is especially true if you suffered a broken bone or even spent some time getting stronger at Pursue PT or a similar physical therapy clinic. The important thing to remember is not to rush yourself. You should make sure that you feel able to return to work or do other things before you push yourself to do it.

If physical therapy is required, it is so important to follow their advice to the letter. This includes doing the exercises they recommend at home! Going to physical therapy is only going to help you and you will want to find a well reviewed practitioner. To get started, simply enter a search for “Physical Therapy Near Me“. It is also helpful to get recommendations from friends and family too.

Suffering an injury usually has an impact on your life in some way. Recovering can take a while, but it’s essential to not let it get you down.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

What’s Giving You A Headache?

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If you look down a list of the symptoms for pretty much any illness in the world, you’ll see “headache” listed as one of the symptoms. From the mundane through to the catastrophic, it seems that where there’s an illness there’s an associated headache with it. Then there’s the fact that headaches themselves can be idiopathic, occurring for no other reason than you’re a human being with a head – and sometimes, they just hurt because they feel like it. It’s actually considered fairly standard to suffer from a headache every day, especially the muscular, nagging tension headaches that we’re all so familiar with.

However, if you have a headache outside of the “norms”, how do you go about figuring out the cause? Or even if there is a cause? While no means exhaustive, below are some of the reasons why you might be experiencing a persistent and nagging headache. Some are for simple reasons, while others are more of a cause for concern. Have a glance over them and remember to always speak to your doctor if you have headaches that are concerning you. It’s almost certainly nothing to be worried about, so don’t panic, just be proactive about scheduling an appointment.

Dehydration: It seems that a glass of water is the cure for all illnesses these days, but that’s largely because… a glass of water can cure all illnesses. Water is fundamental for a human body that’s made up of 80% water, so if you’re not drinking enough, then it’s a cause for concern. Dehydration is speculated to be a primary cause of all headaches that don’t have an underlying condition. So your first step at the sign of throbbing temples should be to drink a few glasses of water and increase your intake of water-rich vegetables.

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H2O!!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a stealth killer. The symptoms begin slowly and with no detectable cause, as the gas is odorless and undetectable without special monitoring equipment. If your headache is always at its worst when you’re at home, then it’s worth considering this as a cause. Always make sure that your gas supply is properly maintained by a plumbing service that you trust and ensure that you have carbon monoxide detectors both fitted and working at all times. It’s one to take seriously because carbon monoxide kills around 500 people per year. (Yikes)

Medication/Supplement Side Effects: If you take any medication or supplements on a regular basis and are experiencing headaches, then you should suspect them as the cause. Even the most benign of over-the-counter supplements can cause head pain, while prescribed medications are even more likely to be the culprit. This is especially true if your headaches have only started after beginning a new medication. Talk to your doctor to rule medication in or out. If it’s found to be an issue, there are usually alternatives that you can try to keep your headaches at bay.

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Sore Throat When You Wake Up?

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Sore Throat When You Wake Up?

Do you wake up from a refreshing night’s sleep only to find that your morning has been ruined before it’s even got started as you feel that familiar pain when you swallow? Having a sore throat in the morning is a fairly common complaint and although it’s irritating, it is rarely a cause for concern. Of course, just because a sore throat isn’t going to kill you doesn’t mean that it can’t be really annoying when it happens, which is why you need to know what you are dealing with so that you can put your morning sore throats to bed once and for all. Here are some of the most common causes of sore throats upon waking:

Snoring: When you snore, your mouth is open and your throat can get quite dry because of all the air that you are taking in. If you wake up only to find that your throat is hoarse and dry, it could be that you are snoring and should try to record yourself sleeping for a few nights or ask your sleeping partner to listen out, if you have one. If you are snoring a lot, take a look at http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/easy-snoring-remedies#1 to sort the problem out and start waking up pain-free.

Dehydration: If you don’t drink enough fluids before you hit the hay or if your room is too dry, you could become dehydrated through the night. This, like snoring, can cause your throat to dry up and become sore.

Acid Reflux: If you wake up not only to a sore throat but also to an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, there is a good chance that acid reflux could be the problem. Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid in your stomach partially comes back up through the esophagus. It can cause stomach pain, heartburn, and sore throats (and bad breath!!). You can deal with acid reflux by following the steps at https://chriskresser.com/get-rid-of-heartburn-and-gerd-forever-in-three-simple-steps/. If reflux continues to be a problem after this, see a doctor

A Swollen Uvula: The uvula is that small bit of skin that hangs down at the back of your mouth. It can become inflamed and swollen when you are sick with a virus or infection, or when there is too much bacteria in the area. Although you are likely to experience throat pain all day when you have a swollen uvula, it could be the case that some of the other factors mentioned in this post can increase your throat pain when you wake up in the morning. You can find out more about the uvula at https://safesymptoms.com/swollen-uvula/ .

Upper Respiratory Infection: If your upper airway is infected, your nose will begin to produce more mucus than before as a form of defense against the invading virus. Sometimes, this mucus trickles down to the back of your throat when you’re sleeping and it can inflame, irritate, and dry out the area – meaning that your throat will be pretty sore in the morning.

If you continue to experience a sore throat upon waking for a prolonged period of time, you should definitely have it checked out by a doctor. Chances are it’ll be nothing serious, but it’s always best to know. And waking up ache free at the start of your day will also be an added plus!

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Dental Disasters And What Can Be Done About Them

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Dental Disasters And What Can Be Done About Them

Our bodies are like machines and sometimes things go wrong with the parts. Our teeth are no exception and there is a whole host of dental issues that you might face at some point in your life. Good dental hygiene and generally taking care of your teeth of course goes a long way but even if you’re rigorous with your oral care routine you might experience issues for other reasons. Here are three dental disasters you might come up against and the best ways to go about getting them sorted out.

Abscess: A tooth abscess can either be caused by dental decay or by trauma to the tooth. When the tooth enamel opens, bacteria can enter and infect the ‘pulp’ in the center of the tooth and, in some cases, the infection can spread to the root of the tooth and even the bone. A collection of pus will then form as the body’s response to fight the infection. An abscess will be very painful and won’t go away on its own and so if you experience one it’s important to see a dentist right away. Don’t wait until Monday if it happens over the weekend, you could look for a local out of hours or Saturday dentist.

Chipped Tooth: This goes to show that even if have the best dental hygiene, things can still go wrong with your teeth. Whether you’re in a sporting or motor accident, you trip and fall, or are even involved in a fight you could suffer a chipped tooth. While a chipped tooth can cause you a lot of anxiety particularly if it’s one of the front ones, it’s not too much of a big problem to repair.

Providing no damage has been done to the nerve, and it’s not been loosened, it can be fixed in just one visit to the dentist using a procedure called ‘bonding.’ A composite resin matching the color of your natural tooth is applied, and an ultraviolet light is used to harden the material. Looked after well it should last ten years and is neither a painful or expensive treatment.

Missing Tooth: The way a missing tooth is treated depends on how it was lost. For example, gum disease can make the gums inflamed and can result in significant damage to both the bone and soft tissues of the mouth. When this happens, the teeth can become loose and will eventually be lost. In this instance, the first call of action would be to address the gum disease first.

In the later stages of gum disease, there may not be enough supporting bone left to be able to hold a dental implant. In this case, dentures or molar bridges are likely to be the best option. If a tooth has been knocked out due to an accident and the bone underneath is okay, a dental implant could be the best way to go. Here a titanium screw is inserted into the bone and the prosthetic tooth clips into it which is a permanent and long lasting solution.

If your missing tooth calls for implants, be sure to take the time to research the best practitioners by entering a search for “Burton on trent implantologist” (or your local area). This is important, of course, so you can have the most successful results but is also especially helpful if you are fearful of getting it done. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations can help identify which practitioners are most tentative to anxious patients and can make the process much smoother for you.

What are some of your dental horror stories? Who suffers from the classic teeth falling out dreams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Taking It Easy: Returning To Work After An Injury

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If you have been off work for an extended period of time due to an injury or illness, then there is much to consider. This can be an extremely difficult period of time for anyone. No matter what the nature of your condition is, there is a good chance that you are struggling to figure out how to best make the situation work. When it comes time to return to work, it can often be something of a shock, especially if you have been absent for a long time. To give you a helping hand, we are going to take a look at some of the key pieces of advice for someone in your situation. Bear these in mind when you are trying to decide what to do.

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Talk To Your Employer: It is important that you keep in touch with your employer at all times, not just when you are ready to return. Doing so is a sign of good faith towards your employer. This will make it much more likely that they will think favorably of you when you need to return. But that is not the only reason that keeping in touch with them is a good idea. There might be any number of things that they can do to help you. It could be, for example, that they can make your transition back to work easier by changing something in your daily work routines. But you can only find out if you actually talk to them so arrange to meet them at your earliest convenience.

Make Sure You Are Physically Fit: If you have suffered a serious injury which has kept you out of work for a long time, you might need to check that you are fit before you return. It is not necessarily enough to simply feel better. You need to at least get checked out by your doctor. They will be able to tell you whether or not you are ready to return to work. If they don’t think you are, then their opinion is the one which matters. You should also consider a rehabilitation center at this time. They will be able to help you get back on track physically in time for your return to work.

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Claim Whatever You Can: It goes without saying that being off work for a long amount of time due to injury is incredibly unhelpful. Financially, it can quickly prove to be a real burden. However, it is likely that there is some help which you can take advantage of. For example, it is worth looking to see whether there are any benefits which you can apply for. There is a good chance that you can apply to at least some, even if you are only off work for an injury. Of course, it all depends on your situation – and your locality. Nonetheless, it is worth considering if you want to try and keep afloat during this difficult time.

 

Monday Update: Ain’t That A Kick In The Head Edition

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Monday Update: Ain’t That A Kick In The Head Edition

Hellooo everyone and happy Monday! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the best of weekends because Lil Red suffered from a concussion on Thursday night. Homegirl was not feeling too hot thanks to the most random head injury of all time and now I’m here to tell you all about it! Let’s discuss:

One thing about me is that I sleep like the dead. I usually stay in the same position all night and am completely out like a light once I’m asleep. But on Thursday night, my body decided to do a switch up on me and make me the biggest roley poley of all time in my sleep. I think it might have had something to do with the dream that I was having…

I dreamt that I was in an enchanted Walmart where everything in the store was HUGE – we’re talking gigantic! I was running around throughout the store trying to rescue all of the silly minions from Despicable Me who were captured by Kathy Bates? Haha, yeah, Kathy made a cameo in my dream, too. She was in character as Iris from American Horror Story: Hotel and she was some sort of evil sorceress who kidnapped all of the minions, so it was up to me to return them to Gru, their rightful owner. Things were intense in my dream – I did more physical activity in it than I’ve ever done in my entire life! I was starting to get the hang of it until…

SMACK! CRACK! POW!

I woke up from my head whacking the arm rest of my bedside chair while I was rolling off of my bed. (I must have been rolling under an obstacle in my dream!) The chair by my bed is nice and comfy in the middle but the arm rests are hard as hell and once my head smacked it at full force I was jolted awake. I found myself on my bedroom floor in a sea of blankets and a world of pain. I got myself up to go to the bathroom and assess the situation and as soon as I started walking I knew that something was wrong because I was so dizzy I could barely make my way down the hall. I vividly remember thinking to myself “I wonder if I have a concussion” and then I found my way back to my bed and fell asleep.

On Friday morning I woke up with a pounding in my head that felt like I was getting hit with a hammer. I went to the bathroom and from just the short walk to the loo and back to my room I felt so faint and lightheaded that I had to get myself back in bed. My vision was blurred and it kept going dark and hazy and my stomach felt nauseous. I called my mom who is a doctor to tell her what happened as well as my suspicions that it was a concussion and she told me that I was probably right. Then I consulted Dr. Web MD and my symptoms matched a lot of the ones that were listed as well. Great. -__-

I was officially concussed and was ordered by my mom and Web MD to stay in bed because rest is the best thing that you can do for a concussion. Most of my weekend was spent laying around feeling like ass and also feeling sorry for myself. I got my injury in the strangest way and it left me with symptoms that felt almost flu-like. It was the antithesis of fun and head injuries are NO JOKE. I was so shocked by how awful one blow to the head left me feeling. I guess I’m going to start sleeping in a crib from now on to prevent any further instances of rolling off of my bed! Haha, #FML.

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Ain’t That A Kick In The Head Edition. Thankfully, I’m feeling much better, but Lil Red was definitely hurtin’ these past few days! What was everyone up to this weekend? Anything exciting? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

minions!