A concussion is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), occurring following a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This movement disrupts normal brain function, leading to temporary changes in how the brain processes information. While most concussions are not life-threatening, the injury must be assessed to rule out more serious complications. Understanding the difference between symptoms manageable in urgent care and those demanding immediate emergency intervention is important for appropriate medical attention.
Recognizing Common Concussion Symptoms
A person who has sustained a concussion may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. Common physical symptoms include a headache or pressure in the head, mild dizziness, or nausea not accompanied by repetitive vomiting. They may also experience mild balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, or blurred vision.
Cognitive symptoms manifest as temporary confusion, difficulty concentrating, or feeling “foggy” or “slowed down.” The individual might have trouble with memory, such as forgetting events immediately before or after the injury. These symptoms often prompt a visit to urgent care for initial assessment and documentation.
Immediate Danger: When to Head Straight to the ER
Certain symptoms, known as red flags, suggest a severe brain injury, such as internal bleeding or swelling, and require immediate evaluation at an Emergency Room (ER). Any prolonged or repeated loss of consciousness, even if brief, is a serious sign requiring ER evaluation. Similarly, a headache that progressively worsens, or repeated, forceful vomiting, indicates increasing pressure within the skull.
Other signs of immediate danger include seizures or convulsions, significant confusion, slurred speech, or inability to recognize people or places. A person who is excessively drowsy or cannot be easily awakened should be taken to the ER immediately, as this may signal a decline in neurological status. Clear fluid or blood draining from the ears or nose, or pupils unequal in size, also warrant emergency care.
Determining if Urgent Care is the Right Choice
Urgent care centers are the appropriate destination when concussion symptoms are mild to moderate and ER red flags are absent. This is the case when the injured person is alert and oriented, did not lose consciousness, and is experiencing common symptoms like a mild headache or temporary dizziness. Urgent care provides a practical option for assessment outside of regular primary care hours, or when the injury occurred recently—typically within 24 to 48 hours.
An urgent care visit is suitable for initial diagnosis, ruling out conditions requiring immediate emergency intervention, and securing documentation for return-to-school or return-to-work protocols. Staff perform initial neurological assessments to determine injury severity and decide if a higher level of care is warranted. If there is any doubt about severity, or if symptoms begin to worsen, seeking care at the ER is the safer choice.
What to Expect During an Urgent Care Concussion Visit
When you arrive at urgent care for a suspected concussion, the provider will take a detailed history of the injury and your symptoms. They will perform a physical and neurological examination designed to check for deficits in balance, reflexes, memory, and eye movements. This neurological screening helps the clinician assess the extent of brain function disruption.
Urgent care facilities focus on initial triage and diagnosis, not long-term management. While some centers may have X-ray capabilities, they do not perform advanced imaging like CT scans or MRI, which are reserved for the ER if internal bleeding is suspected. The primary goal is to provide initial diagnosis, rule out life-threatening issues, offer guidance on symptom management, and give instructions for rest. Patients are discharged with instructions to follow up with a primary care provider or a concussion specialist for ongoing monitoring and a structured recovery plan.