An acute concussion is a temporary disturbance of brain function resulting from a head injury. This mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) disrupts the brain’s internal processes rather than its physical structure. Unlike more severe brain injuries, a concussion typically does not involve visible damage on standard imaging scans. These injuries commonly arise from falls, sports, or motor vehicle accidents, causing the brain to move rapidly within the skull.
Recognizing an Acute Concussion
A concussion occurs when a sudden force causes the brain to move or twist inside the skull, leading to temporary changes in brain chemistry and function. This rapid motion can stretch and damage delicate nerve cells and blood vessels, disrupting the brain’s ability to send messages effectively.
Symptoms often manifest shortly after the injury, though they can sometimes be delayed by several hours or even days. Physical symptoms might include a headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, issues with balance, or increased sensitivity to light and noise.
Cognitive changes are also common, where individuals may describe feeling mentally “foggy” or slowed down. They might experience difficulty concentrating, challenges with remembering new information, or a general reduction in their mental processing speed.
Emotional responses can shift, leading to increased irritability, feelings of sadness, or heightened nervousness. Sleep patterns can also be affected, presenting as excessive drowsiness, sleeping more or less than is typical, or experiencing trouble falling asleep.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Certain signs following a head injury indicate a more severe condition beyond a typical concussion, necessitating immediate emergency medical attention. These “red flag” symptoms suggest a potential for complications like a skull fracture or bleeding within the brain.
A headache that progressively worsens or repeated episodes of vomiting warrant urgent evaluation. Any instance where one pupil appears larger than the other suggests a serious underlying issue requiring prompt medical assessment.
Other concerning symptoms include slurred speech, new weakness or numbness in any part of the body, or any loss of consciousness, even if brief. Seizures or convulsions after a head injury are clear signals for emergency care. Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation also indicate immediate medical intervention is needed. If any of these symptoms are observed, contact emergency services or transport the individual to the nearest hospital without delay.
The Diagnostic Process
Diagnosing a concussion involves a thorough clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional, as there is no single definitive test to confirm its presence. The assessment begins with a detailed discussion about the injury event and a comprehensive review of the patient’s reported symptoms.
A neurological examination follows, where the healthcare provider assesses various aspects of brain function. This examination typically involves checking vision, hearing, balance, coordination, reflexes, and an evaluation of memory and cognitive abilities.
Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, do not directly diagnose a concussion. Instead, these scans are utilized to rule out more severe structural injuries to the brain, such as internal bleeding or skull fractures, which could present with similar initial symptoms. Their purpose is to ensure the absence of life-threatening conditions.
Initial Recovery and Management
Following a concussion diagnosis, immediate management focuses on supporting the brain’s recovery from its temporary energy imbalance. Healthcare providers typically recommend a period of “relative rest” for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. This approach involves limiting activities that demand significant physical or cognitive effort, such as strenuous exercise, extensive reading, schoolwork, or prolonged screen time from video games or computers.
However, “relative rest” does not imply complete isolation in a dark room; instead, it encourages a reduction in mentally and physically demanding tasks. As symptoms begin to improve, a gradual return to normal activities is advised, guided by how the individual feels. Activities should be incrementally reintroduced at levels that do not cause a substantial worsening of symptoms.
This stepwise progression allows the brain to slowly adapt to increasing demands. For instance, light aerobic exercise might be introduced before more intense physical activity, and short bursts of cognitive tasks can precede longer periods of concentration. Throughout this acute recovery phase, which spans the first few days to a couple of weeks, avoiding any activities that carry a risk of another head injury is particularly important to prevent complications.