What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Rapid movement causes brain tissue to change shape, which can stretch and damage brain cells. This damage also causes chemical and metabolic changes within the brain cells, making it more difficult for cells to function and communicate. Since the brain is the body’s control center, the effects of a concussion can be far-reaching. Concussions are usually not life-threatening, but the effects of a concussion can change a life and the injury should be treated seriously.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion
A concussion doesn’t show up on imaging like an X-ray, CT, or MRI scan and there is no objective test, like drawing blood or saliva, that can verify if a patient has a concussion. A doctor makes a concussion diagnosis based on the results of a complete examination, which includes observing signs of concussion and patients reporting symptoms of concussion appearing after an impact to the head or body. Concussion signs and symptoms are the brain’s way of showing it is injured and not functioning normally. Concussion signs are what someone could observe about you to determine if you have a concussion. Signs of a concussion range from obvious to much more nuanced, but even one sign of a concussion after a hit to the head should be reported to a medical professional.
Common concussion signs:
Loss of consciousness
Problems with balance
Glazed look in the eyes
Amnesia
Delayed response to questions
Forgetting an instruction, confusion about an assignment or position, or confusion of the game, score, or opponent
Inappropriate crying
Inappropriate laughter
Vomiting
Concussion symptoms are what someone who is concussed will tell you they are experiencing.
Concussion symptoms typically fall into four major categories:
1. Somatic (Physical) Symptoms
Headache
Light-headedness
Dizziness
Nausea
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
2. Cognitive (thinking) Symptoms
Difficulties with attention
Memory problems
Loss of focus
Difficulty multitasking
Difficulty completing mental tasks
3. Sleep Symptoms
Sleeping more than usual
Sleeping less than usual
Having trouble falling asleep
4. Emotional Symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Panic attacks
Immediate concussion response: Consult a medical professional, and rest up. For most concussions, simply resting and gradually returning to activity under the guidance of a medical professional clears up concussion symptoms in a matter of days or weeks. This is the current standard of care and has helped countless concussion patients through a full recovery. Visit our Concussion Response page to learn about the five key steps to take immediate.