Expert Care for Concussions and Head Injuries

What are the Symptoms of a Serious Concussion?

The symptoms of concussion vary depending on the severity of the head injury. Some concussions require emergency treatment. Signs of a severe head injury include:

• Obvious trauma to the head, including bleeding or bruising
• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Losing consciousness, being very drowsy or unable to wake up
• One pupil being larger than the other
• Having convulsions or seizures
• Not being able to recognize people or places
• Becoming increasingly confused or agitated
• Displaying unusual behavior
• For infants and children, being inconsolable or refusing to nurse or eat

What are the Symptoms of a Mild Concussion?

Mild concussions can be harder to spot but they can still have a major impact. Symptoms of a mild concussion may appear immediately, or they might appear days, weeks, and even months after the injury. Make an appointment with your primary care physician for concussion treatment if you experience the following symptoms after a head injury.

• Physical symptoms: Headache, blurry vision, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light or sound, problems with balance, and fatigue
• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering new information
• Emotional symptoms: Feeling irritable, sad, or anxious and experiencing mood swings
• Sleep symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep and sleeping more or less than usual

How are Concussions Diagnosed?

To diagnose and treat a concussion, your doctor will start by asking you or a witness about the injury. He or she will want to know how it happened, where the head was struck, and if there were any immediate symptoms, such as loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness does not occur with all concussions. You could still have a concussion even if you didn’t lose consciousness.

Next, your doctor will perform a neurological exam. This will include checking your hearing, vision, reflexes, balance, strength, memory, and concentration. If you have symptoms of a severe concussion, your doctor will order an imaging test to check for swelling or bleeding in the brain.

How is a Concussion Treated?

Physical rest is essential to concussion recovery. Sports, exercise, and other activities that put you at risk for another head injury must be avoided. Your doctor will also prescribe some degree of mental rest. Depending on your symptoms, this could range from having a reduced work or school schedule to avoiding anything that requires thinking. That includes reading, looking at a smartphone screen, working or playing on a computer, and watching TV.

Other symptoms may require specialized concussion treatment. For instance, if you have balance problems, migraines or neck pain, your doctor may recommend outpatient physical therapy.