Early signs of concussion: Should you take action?

Have you fallen and hit your head, been struck by an object on your head, or suffered from any other type of head injury recently? Are you experiencing symptoms that won't go away with time? You might have a concussion.


Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that don't typically result in obvious damage to the brain or show up on a brain scan. After a concussion, you might lose consciousness for up to 30 minutes. You might feel confused, disoriented, or lose your memory for up to a day. For fast and complete recovery, it’s important that you seek care quickly for a concussion.


Use the infographic below to learn about the main symptoms of concussions and decide whether you should see a doctor. This is not a diagnostic tool; it’s an educational tool to help you understand the symptoms you may be experiencing and decide whether or not to go see a doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat a concussion.
 

Published on: June 7, 2024


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Bunt, S. C., LoBue, C., Hynan, L. S., Didehbani, N., Stokes, M., Miller, S. M., . . . Cullum, C. M. (2022). Early vs. delayed evaluation and persisting concussion symptoms during recovery in adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 37(7), 1410–1427. doi: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2119165

Echemendia, R. J., Brett, B. L., Broglio, S., Davis, G. A., Giza, C. C., Guskiewicz, K. M., . . . Bruce, J. M. (2023). Introducing the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(11), 619–621. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106849