You can know if you have a concussion by recognizing a combination of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms that typically occur after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Common signs and symptoms 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 problems:
- Feeling mentally foggy or slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Trouble remembering things, including the event causing the injury
- Confusion or feeling dazed
Emotional and social changes:
- Irritability or increased anger
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Feeling more emotional or sad
Sleep disturbances:
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
Some symptoms may appear immediately after the injury, while others can develop over hours or days
. Danger signs requiring immediate medical attention include:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Loss of consciousness or inability to stay awake
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or worsening headache
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- One pupil larger than the other or double vision
- Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
Because concussion symptoms can be subtle and vary widely, diagnosis is usually made by a healthcare professional based on symptom evaluation, medical history, and neurological examination. Tests may include cognitive assessments, balance testing, and sometimes imaging (CT or MRI) to rule out more serious brain injury, but imaging cannot definitively diagnose a concussion
. If you suspect you have a concussion, stop activities immediately and seek medical evaluation. Having someone observe you for the first 24 hours is recommended to monitor for worsening symptoms
