When should you seek medical attention after a concussion?
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea. A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time.
How do you know if a concussion is serious?
Concussion Danger SignsOne pupil larger than the other.Drowsiness or inability to wake up.A headache that gets worse and does not go away.Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).More items...
Should you seek medical attention for a concussion?
Immediately following a concussion, you should be examined by a doctor. This can be done at an emergency department or a doctor's office. You should also seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms within the first few days after the injury: Headache that persists or gets worse over time.
What happens if a concussion goes untreated?
A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
What are the symptoms of a slow brain bleed?
SymptomsIncreasing headache.Vomiting.Drowsiness and progressive loss of consciousness.Dizziness.Confusion.Unequal pupil size.Slurred speech.Loss of movement (paralysis) on the opposite side of the body from the head injury.
What will a hospital do for a concussion?
Depending on the severity of the injury and symptoms, initial treatment for a concussion often includes rest from both physical and mental activities — specifically, things that require concentration, such as: Reading. Watching TV.
How do you know if your brain is bleeding after hitting your head?
Sharp and painful headaches, along with confusion, are often the first signs of brain bleeding. However, the symptoms often depend on the bleed's location. If you recently suffered from brain trauma and begin experiencing different or worsening symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.
What are the stages of a concussion?
There are three grades: Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
What are the 4 categories of concussion symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of concussion reported within 1 to 7 days post injury (see Table 3-3) typically fall into four categories—physical (somatic), cognitive, emotional (affective), and sleep—and patients will experience one or more symptoms from one or more categories.
Do I need a CT scan after concussion?
Brain scans are usually not helpful for a concussion. A CT scan takes pictures to create images of the brain. The scan can show if there's a fracture or bleeding. An MRI creates clear images of brain tissue. But these scans cannot show if you have a concussion.
Should you see a neurologist after a concussion?
Yes — in the days following a concussion you should see a concussion expert. That expert could be a physician specializing in brain disorders (a neurosurgeon or neurologist) or a neuropsychologist specializing in assessing brain disorders through tests of mental functions such as attention, concentration, and memory.
How long can a concussion last if not treated?
Concussive symptoms typically resolve in seven to 10 days (sports-related concussions) or within three months (non-athletes) (Epps and Allen, 2017). If symptoms don't resolve after three months, they probably won't go away without therapy.