Concussion & head injury symptoms

A concussion can result in serious complications if left untreated. When one occurs, by a blow to the head or body, the brain’s normal functions are disrupted. The traumatic injury can affect physical and cognitive abilities, as well as interrupt sleep patterns and impact emotions and behavior. Because a concussion can become a serious medical issue or even cause death, it's critical to seek medical care quickly.

Our experienced concussion team has access to the latest technology and can guide your recovery process by determining how serious your case is.

Find a doctor near you who has expertise in treating concussions.

Seek medical aid if symptoms of concussion occur

Concussions are common injuries. According to the CDC, about 3.8 million happen every year. Concussion symptoms can be difficult to spot, however, as some may seem insignificant or appear days after the injury occurred.

Right after the injury, confusion or nausea may be the only symptoms. After a couple of hours have passed, you may not remember how you got hurt. Days later, you may have trouble sleeping or notice more emotional symptoms.

Concussion symptoms to watch for

If you or someone you know recently sustained a blow to the head or the body and a head jolt resulted, it's important to keep a watchful eye and see a doctor if any of the following signs of concussion arise:

• Physical: Headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness
• Emotional/behavioral: Irritability, confusion, depression, anxiety
• Cognitive: Slowed response, mental fogginess, poor concentration, distractibility
• Vision: Double vision, blurred vision, sensitivity to light
• Speech: Slurred speech or saying things that don't make sense
• Hearing: Ringing in the ears or other hearing problems
• Sleepiness: Drowsiness or a dull, foggy or slowed-down feeling

If your child was the one injured, remember you know them better than their trainer or their coach. If you think something isn’t normal, you’re probably right.

Keep track of any new symptoms or changes in symptoms so you can let your doctor know about them. If any of these symptoms get worse, call 911 or go directly to the emergency department.

Dispelling concussion myths

Because concussions are so common, it's important to know the facts so you can promptly seek the right level of care.

Facts to remember:

• You can have a concussion even if you don’t lose consciousness.
• Protective equipment, like helmets or mouth guards, cannot prevent concussions.
• Concussion evaluation and care can be done without sophisticated imaging exams, which are usually ordered only in severe cases.
• Symptoms are not known to vary by age, though teens are more likely to experience sleep-related problems.
• Concussion symptoms can worsen during cognitive activities, like schoolwork or reading.
• Concussion treatment plans usually involve orders for both physical and mental rest.

Concussion prevention

You can’t really prevent a concussion, but you can practice basic safety. This includes:

• Wearing a helmet for the right sport that’s properly fitted
• Using other safety gear
• Following safety guidelines in sports or when operating heavy equipment
• Wearing a seat belt in automobiles
• Taking enough time to rest and recover after a concussion

Possible complications from concussion

Though the signs of a concussion usually resolve over time with proper care, the traumatic brain injury (TBI) could escalate into something worse if left untreated. Continuing regular activity levels and not resting could lead to life-altering complications or even death.

Skipping treatment can lead to:

Second-impact syndrome: A rare condition that arises from a second concussion before the first is fully healed, possibly leading to permanent brain injury or death. Regular activity levels should be avoided until you get your doctor’s approval.

Multiple concussions: Having a concussion increases your risk for future ones. Having another concussion may prolong the time needed for recovery or lead to chronic medical problems. A doctor can teach you ways to stay safe and avoid further damage.

Post-concussion syndrome: A disorder that may develop when concussion symptoms fail to resolve over a period of months and depression, anxiety or irritability emerges. This condition is often treated differently than a brain injury.

Our concussion experts

Advocate brings together a multidisciplinary team of concussion experts who work together to diagnose your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan to match your specific needs. They’ll all have access to your electronic medical records and health history, which helps them work together.

Our team includes:

Diagnosing concussion

Our health care team will:

• Perform a physical examination
• Check your reflexes, coordination, senses and mental state
• Ask how your concussion symptoms are affecting your daily life

When you have severe symptoms, we may also perform tests to evaluate your brain’s condition. CT scans may be performed to capture a series of X-rays to provide a 3D image of your brain.

You may see a neurologist to help rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms, including difficulty thinking and concentrating, or chronic headaches.

Our physical therapy department can offer specialized vestibular therapy to help with balance or vision problems. We also offer speech therapists to help with problems with speaking and thinking.

Recovering from a concussion

Most people with a concussion need to rest to let the brain heal. Athletes may need to refrain from their sport for about 10 days. We may recommend that you avoid things like using a computer or reading if they make your concussion symptoms worse. You may need to avoid bright lights and loud noises, too. Some people need more time to rest or additional treatment.

Learn about our comprehensive treatment for concussions.

Some of the following things may also help:

• Over-the-counter pain medications can help with pain (as long as your doctor says it's OK to take them).
• Drink plenty of water, especially if you’ve had nausea or vomiting.
• Don’t drink alcohol because it can slow your recovery or may interact with other medications.
• Don’t drive a car or any other vehicle that requires steering right away. Your coordination and balance may be diminished following a concussion.
• Avoid additional head injuries during your recovery. Repeated brain injuries can cause complications.

Above all, wait for your doctor’s approval before you resume physical activities. Healing your brain is an investment in your future – take your time.