Concussions range from mild to severe, but all involve brain injury and require time to heal properly.

Most concussions are caused by a blow to the head. However, many people who sustain concussions don’t lose consciousness.

Causes
Any blow to the head can cause a concussion. Adults and young people who play contact sports, including football, hockey, and soccer, are at risk for them. Other common causes include accidents involving motor vehicles and taking part in sports such as biking, skiing, and skateboarding without wearing proper head protection. Infants and toddlers also are at high risk if they fall, are shaken, or are dropped.

Having had a concussion in the past puts people at risk of having more in the future.

Symptoms
The signs and symptoms are often subtle and may not show up until days or weeks after a head injury occurs.

The most common signs are confusion and amnesia, often not remembering the accident that caused the concussion.

Other immediate symptoms include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Ear ringing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Impaired balance, reflexes, and coordination

Symptoms that might not appear until hours or days later include:

• Mood and cognitive disturbances
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep disturbances

Nonverbal clues in an infant or toddler may include:

• Listlessness, tiring easily
• Irritability, crankiness
• Change in eating or sleeping patterns
• Lack of interest in favorite toys
• Loss of balance, unsteady walking

When to See a Doctor
Most concussions aren’t severe and people typically recover completely. But any blow to the head is potentially serious, whether or not a concussion is apparent.

Anyone who has lost consciousness after a head injury should see a doctor promptly.

For more information, visit Family Doctor at www.familydoctor.org and search for “concussion.”

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