How to Know If You Have a Concussion

Between 1.5 and 3 million concussions happen on sports fields in the United States each year, of which 300,000 are from football. Interestingly, up to 50% of concussions go undetected and untreated. Please continue reading to find out how to recognize concussion symptoms and when to seek care for a head injury.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It frequently occurs from a blow to the head. Falls and contact sports are the most common causes of concussions. These types of head injuries can also occur from violent shaking of the head, such as during motor vehicle accidents. Less common injuries that can cause concussions include blast injuries.

What does a concussion feel like at first?

Most people think loss of consciousness is the most common symptom of a concussion. However, you may or may not lose consciousness when you suffer a concussion.

Other symptoms of a concussion include dizziness, “seeing stars,” double or blurry vision, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, and balance problems. Concussion signs and symptoms can also include headache, drowsiness, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Changes in sleep patterns are also common symptoms.

People with a brain injury can feel sluggish, foggy, or groggy. They may appear dazed. Additionally, a concussed person can experience problems with brain function and mental status, including difficulties with concentration and memory loss. Head injuries can also lead to irritability, depression, and personality changes.

How long after hitting your head do concussion symptoms start?

Some concussion symptoms appear within minutes of a head injury. Others can take several hours to develop, and symptoms can change over time. There can be worsening symptoms in the days following a blow to the head. Some concussion symptoms appear only when the brain is being used, or the brain cells are under stress.

How long do concussion symptoms last?

Most people have symptoms for a brief period and feel better within a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with a mild concussion. However, the signs and symptoms of a concussion can last for several weeks, months, or even longer. Post-concussive syndrome is a condition in which symptoms of a mild brain injury, such as headache, dizziness, and memory problems, last longer than expected.

How do I check myself for a concussion?

You should not check yourself for a concussion or try to self-diagnose a suspected concussion. Even mild concussions can cause serious problems. Remember that any head injury, including a mild concussion, is a serious injury and requires immediate medical care.

A healthcare professional can review your signs and symptoms and order tests, including baseline concussion tests and brain imaging studies if they suspect a possible concussion. This can lead to an early diagnosis and treatment of serious complications such as bleeding in the brain, potentially fatal brain swelling, increased intracranial pressure, or a skull fracture that may need to be treated by neurological surgeons.

What is the treatment for concussions?

The treatment for concussions involves getting plenty of rest and treating specific symptoms.

Should I see a doctor for a mild traumatic brain injury?

You should see a medical professional within 1-2 days after a head injury occurs, even if you don’t have symptoms of a concussion and are doing all your normal activities. This is just to ensure that everything is okay. Most people recover fully from a mild traumatic brain injury with normal brain function.

You should seek immediate care and medical attention in an emergency room if you suffer a blow to the head and have the following emergency symptoms or warning signs after a concussion:

Temporary loss of consciousness for more than 30 seconds.
Repeated vomiting.
Worsening headache.
Fluid or blood coming out of your nose or ears.
Dilated (enlarged) pupils or pupils of unequal size.
Blurred or double vision that does not improve.
Persistent ringing in the ears.
Weakness in the limbs.
Slurred speech.
Behavior changes, confusion, or disorientation.
Balance problems, incoordination, stumbling or being clumsy.
Seizures.

How to prevent head injury?

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent head injuries:

Always wear protective headgear and other protective gear during contact sports and physical activities like skating, skiing, cycling, horse riding, hockey, baseball, and softball.
Wear a seat belt every time you ride in a motor vehicle.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Discuss fall prevention strategies for older adults with a healthcare provider.
Review safety in children’s play areas and playgrounds.

Note for athletes

Playing sports, especially football and soccer, are risk factors for concussions. Athletic trainers should ensure that student-athletes and professional athletes do not return to playing sports if they have had a concussion diagnosed and have continuing symptoms of a concussion. Studies have shown that if a student-athlete returns to a physical activity or contact sport while still showing concussion signs and symptoms, they are at a higher risk of repeated concussions. A rare condition called second impact syndrome can occur, in which a person develops fatal brain swelling if they suffer a second concussion before a previous brain injury has healed.

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