Concussions: Signs & Symptoms, What To Do

Concussions, or injuries that change the way the brain operates, have been making headlines over the past few years, and with good reason. Research is revealing the long-term impact of concussions, proving that untreated concussions can cause relatively serious damage to the brain. 

As with any other injury, it’s important to seek professional assistance to prevent further injury or debilitation. While the best remedy for concussions is prevention, it’s crucial to learn how to know if you have a concussion—and what to do next if you are experiencing the symptoms. 

What Does a Concussion Feel Like?

How to Know if You Have a Concussion: Reported Symptoms

Headache, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of pressure in your head are typical signs of a concussion. Concussions are also typically accompanied by dizziness or disorientation. This symptom is typically immediate; however, if it does not wain or resolve after a few minutes, you should seek medical attention to make sure you haven’t suffered a severe concussion.  

How to Know if You Have a Concussion: Observed Symptoms

Others may observe that you are moving and speaking slowly, appear groggy, or are showing unusual personality changes. You may even forget information quickly or fail to remember details about events before and after the injury.

Other Possible Signs of a Concussion

Some key symptoms of a concussion are delayed, so be on the lookout for them in the hours and days following a head trauma:

• Nausea or vomiting – This can be either an immediate reaction, a delayed reaction, or a recurring reaction. Regardless, this should be taken as a serious symptom that requires immediate attention. If it occurs during physical activity, do not return to the physical activity.
• Irritability or personality change – This is often the most recognizable sign of concussion in young children. If you notice this occurring with yourself or somebody else after suffering some sort of head trauma, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is often a delayed symptom.
• Amnesia – Amnesia is typical with concussions, especially of memories surrounding the injury itself. Patients may be unable to recall events before and after the incident, or even of the entire day. Head trauma can also cause you to forget who you are, forget where you are, or be unable to identify people around you.
• Light and noise sensitivity – This is a common symptom of a concussion, but typically comes within a day or two following the initial injury. To deal with these symptoms, stay away from over-stimulating activities such as loud television or video games. Wearing sunglasses or tinted glasses can help reduce light sensitivity.

What to Do for a Concussion

Regardless of whether a concussion is mild or severe, rehabilitation and recovery from the head trauma can be a long, winding road. At IMPACT Physical Therapy and Sports Recovery, we are dedicated to helping you to return to normal activities as quickly and safely as possible. Our concussion rehab specialists will work with you every step of the way. We recognize that no two concussions are the same, and we will examine you and develop a personalized plan of attack to get you back on the right track.

Recovery from a Concussion Starts Here

We’re happy to provide further details on how to know if you have a concussion and what to do next if you are experiencing symptoms. Contact us at IMPACT Physical Therapy and Sports Recovery to schedule your consultation and begin your road to recovery today!

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