What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on routine x-rays, CT scans or MRIs. Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that jars the head, can cause a concussion.
A concussion may start to improve within 10-14 days, but may last longer. If you have had a concussion before, you may take longer to heal the next time.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Symptoms of a concussion can appear immediately or a few days after the impact. Concussions can appear as a variety of symptoms, and each person might experience concussion in a different way. It is typical to experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Red Flag Symptoms
If any red flag symptoms are present, get medical help immediately. Red Flag symptoms include:
- Person complains of neck pain
- Deteriorating conscious state
- Increasing confusion or irritability
- Severe or increasing headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Unusual behaviour change
- Seizure or convulsion
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling / burning in arms or legs
Physical
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- “Pressure in the head”
- Headache
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Neck pain
- Seizure or convulsion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
Emotional
- Irritability
- Nervous or anxious
- More emotional
- Feeling like in a “fog”
- “Don’t feel right”
- Sadness
Cognitive
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling slowed down
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty remembering
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Amnesia
Sleep
- Insomnia – unable to sleep
- Poor sleep quality
- Sleeping too much
Information above has been adapted with permission from Parachute Canada