Concussion

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Brain

Concussion

Symptoms of a concussion can range from mild to severe. They can include:

• Altered level of consciousness (drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes)
• Confusion, feeling spacey, or not thinking straight
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss (amnesia) of events before the injury or immediately after
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seeing flashing lights
• Feeling like you have "lost time"

The following are emergency symptoms of a concussion. Seek immediate medical care if there are:

• Changes in alertness and consciousness
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Muscle weakness on one or both sides
• Persistent confusion
• Persistent unconsciousness (coma)
• Repeated vomiting
• Unequal pupils
• Unusual eye movements
• Walking problems

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Head injuries that result in concussion often are associated with injury to the neck and spine. Take particular care when moving patients who have had a head injury.

While recovering from a concussion, you may:

• Be withdrawn, easily upset, or confused
• Have a hard time with tasks that require remembering or concentrating
• Have mild headaches
• Be less tolerant of noise

The doctor will perform a physical exam and check your nervous system. There may be changes in your pupil size, thinking ability, coordination, and reflexes.

Tests that may be performed include:

• EEG (brain wave test) may be needed if seizures continue
• Head CT scan
• MRI of the head

Review Date: 01/11/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).