You can know if you have a concussion by recognizing a combination of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms that typically appear after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Common signs include: Physical symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting (especially early on)
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Vision problems such as blurry or double vision
- Feeling tired or having low energy
Thinking and memory issues:
- Feeling slowed down, foggy, or groggy
- Trouble concentrating or paying attention
- Problems with short- or long-term memory
- Confusion or feeling "in a fog"
Emotional and social changes:
- Irritability, anxiety, or nervousness
- Feeling more emotional or sad than usual
Sleep disturbances:
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep or disturbed sleep patterns
You may also experience a brief loss of consciousness or amnesia about the event causing the concussion, but many concussions occur without losing consciousness
. When to seek emergency medical care:
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately
if you experience any of the following after a head injury:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or worsening headache
- One pupil larger than the other or double vision
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Confusion, restlessness, agitation, or unusual behavior
- Not recognizing people or places
These signs may indicate a more serious brain injury beyond a concussion and require urgent attention
. If you suspect a concussion, it is important to stop physical and cognitive activities and rest. Medical evaluation is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and guide recovery, as symptoms can evolve over hours or days
