Peter Gotsis, D.O.

Family Practice

Peter Gotsis, DO, was born and raised in Lorain County. He received his bachelor's degree from Baldwin Wallace and his doctorate at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at St. John Medical Center in Westlake.

Dr. Gotsis is trained to treat patients of all ages. His special medical interests include preventative medicine. He is committed to caring for his patients in a friendly, courteous and thorough manner.

Contact Information

440-250-8660
26908 Detroit Road, Suite 200, Westlake
More About Our Detroit Road Location

Articles

Please Explain Concussions?

Concussions usually occur by a bump, jolt or blow to the head. Occasionally this may cause a loss of consciousness. They range from mild to severe and can affect a person's memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and coordination. They are common in contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer or can simply occur on the playground. We must be cautious because this is a brain injury and can have serious consequences if not recognized and allowed to heal.

Symptoms can vary. They can occur immediately following the event or days to weeks later. The most common immediate symptoms are amnesia and confusion. Often the patient cannot remember the event in which they suffered the injury. Other symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech. Later, symptoms such as sleep disturbances, cognitive problems, mood disturbances, and sensitivity to light may occur. These can last for days, weeks or months. When such symptoms continue for months it is called Post Concussion Syndrome. Toddlers and infants may exhibit signs of crankiness, change in eating or sleeping patterns or even loss of balance, which can be difficult to recognize. A physician should immediately evaluate head injuries involving children or if a person (of any age) has been "knocked out".

It is very important to remember that concussions are injuries to the brain and is usually diagnosed by history and physical exam. Any concerning finding may require further work-up. Luckily most concussions are mild and people will fully recover.

The cure is simply to rest and allow time for the brain to recover and heal properly. If a person returns to certain activities too soon they can be injured easier and more severely. It is important to know that repetitive injuries can cause long-term problems.

In conclusion, the doctor will advise the injured patient when to return to normal activities. This will be determined by severity of the concussion, symptoms, age of patient and number of previous concussions. The most important thing to remember is to be careful. Always take precautions in situations in which a head injury can occur. For example, walk with caution in icy areas, wear your seat belt and wear protective gear such as a helmet when pursuing activities that can lead to a head injury and possibly concussion.