Concussions:

Symptoms and Early Medical Attention

Intro	Recovery
Symptoms & Early Medical Attention	Prevention
Exam & Treatment

What are symptoms of a concussion?

You may have had a concussion if you have any of following symptoms after a head injury:

• Blurry vision
• Memory loss - you're unable to remember what happened before or after your head was injured
• Headache
• Feeling of pressure in the head
• Dizziness
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions even about simple things
• Feeling "foggy" or "out of it"
• Clumsiness - trouble with coordination and/or balance
• Feeling grouchy or anxious for no reason
• Feeling more tired or sleepy than usual
• Mood or behavior changes
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise
• Ringing in the ears

What should you do if you think you have a concussion?

If you think you might have a concussion, stop what you're doing even if you feel fine. If you're playing a sport, tell your coach right away. Always let your parent(s) or guardian(s) know what happened. Also, make sure to talk with your health care provider to find out if you should be checked or if you should go to the closest emergency room. Your health care provider will figure out if you'll need a CT scan or other imaging and when you can return to normal activities.

What if you see someone else get hurt, and you think they may have a concussion?

If you watch someone fall, hit their head, or take a direct blow to the body that jolts their head, ask them if they are okay and find out if they remember what happened. If the person is alert, you could say that "the impact may have caused a concussion"; that they "may need medical attention" and offer to call their parent or guardian. If the person is unconscious and appears to be alone, you should tell an adult, call an ambulance, and make sure that they get medical attention right away.

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Written and reviewed by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 8/18/2011