A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that results from a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, or a forceful impact to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly. This sudden movement can temporarily alter the brain’s normal function, leading to a range of symptoms. While the term “mild” indicates the injury is not immediately life-threatening, assessing the severity determines the appropriate level of medical attention. A concussion affects the brain’s cells and can cause chemical changes, making recognizing when to seek emergency care crucial for recovery.
Immediate Warning Signs Requiring Emergency Care
Certain symptoms after a head injury are considered “Red Flags” and mandate an immediate trip to the Emergency Room (ER) or a call to 911. These signs may indicate a serious underlying injury, such as bleeding or swelling in the brain. Urgent medical attention is required if a severe headache worsens over time, rather than improving. Repeated vomiting or persistent nausea is also a concern, especially if the person cannot keep fluids down.
Any sign of a seizure or convulsions, such as uncontrolled shaking or twitching, requires immediate emergency care. Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or a noticeable change in physical coordination, like stumbling or clumsiness, should prompt an ER visit. A change in pupil size, particularly if one pupil appears larger than the other, also indicates a severe injury.
Immediate professional help is needed if the person has increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation that worsens. An inability to wake up, increasing drowsiness, or difficulty staying alert are signs that the brain injury is serious. The appearance of clear fluid or blood draining from the ears or nose suggests a possible skull fracture or cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Common Concussion Symptoms and Primary Care Follow-Up
Many common concussion symptoms require medical assessment but do not necessitate an ER visit, which should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies. If these less severe symptoms occur, the person should be seen by a healthcare provider within one to two days. A mild headache that does not worsen and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers is a typical symptom.
Common cognitive effects include temporary confusion, feeling “foggy” or “slowed down,” and difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms frequently reported are dizziness, balance problems, or increased sensitivity to bright light and loud noise. Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping more or less than usual, or emotional changes like irritability and sadness, often appear following the injury.
If these common symptoms are present without any severe warning signs, contact a primary care physician or visit an urgent care center. This visit confirms the concussion, rules out other issues, and provides a personalized recovery plan. Avoiding the ER for milder symptoms ensures emergency resources remain available for critical needs.
Safe Monitoring and Post-Injury Care
After an initial assessment, safe monitoring and adherence to a structured recovery plan are crucial for healing. The most important initial step is prioritizing cognitive and physical rest to allow the injured brain to recover. This means temporarily limiting activities that require heavy concentration, such as schoolwork, reading, video games, or excessive screen time.
Current medical advice confirms that a person with a concussion should sleep, as rest aids the healing process. Waking someone up every hour is unnecessary once a medical professional has ruled out an immediate brain bleed. However, a caregiver should stay with the person for the first 24 hours to monitor for delayed worsening of symptoms. Returning to normal activities must be gradual, as symptoms can be exacerbated by doing too much too soon.
The person must strictly avoid all high-risk activities, like contact sports, until a healthcare provider gives clearance. A second impact before recovery is complete can lead to serious complications. If symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or interfere with daily life, follow up with a doctor specializing in concussion management.