Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsSigns in ChildrenComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Signs in Children
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Aconcussionis a form oftraumatic brain injury(TBI) that occurs after a blow or jolt to the head. This sudden movement of the head can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in your brain.A concussion can produce a temporary or permanent loss of brain function.
It may be difficult to determine whether you have a concussion because the symptoms can vary from person to person. Infants and children can present with different signs and symptoms also.
Signs and symptoms generally appear soon after the injury. However, you may not know how serious the injury is at first, and some symptoms may not be noticed for hours or even days.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Symptoms of a Concussion
For the person experiencing the concussion, the above signs may not be obvious. But there are symptoms of a concussion you may experience that others may not pick up on, including:
Post-concussion syndrome describes a set of complex symptoms that includes headache, dizziness, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cognitive impairment occurring after TBI.
How Long Do Concussion Symptoms Last? Key Signs to Watch For
Signs in Young Children
The signs that your child has a concussion can include:
A complication that could occur following a concussion is second-impact syndrome. It arises if a second concussion occurs before the first one fully heals.
Second-impact syndrome can lead to fatal brain swelling. The risk of this complication is much higher in those who play sports, such as football or boxing. This is why it’s vital to always fully recover from a concussion prior to returning to normal activities.
Other complications that can arise following a concussion include:
Can You Sleep After a Concussion or Head Injury?
After a blow to the head, go to a hospital immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
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Summary
If you suspect you or someone you’re with, including a child, has a concussion, monitor for any changes in mood, vision, and cognitive function and seek help.
A Word From Verywell
A concussion is a serious condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a concussion in yourself or a loved one will help you seek prompt treatment. Getting adequate treatment soon after a concussion reduces the risk of complications and helps prevent prolonged symptoms.
Sometimes. Although pupil dilation isn’t always a reliable sign of a concussion, it can occur in some people. Pupil dilation following a concussion typically only occurs in one pupil, with that pupil appearing larger than the other. It could be a sign that the structure of the brain was damaged, and you should go to the emergency department immediately.
Yes. A concussion will typically be diagnosed using a physical exam, which involves testing vision, hearing, balance, coordination, reflexes, memory, and concentration. Other tests may need to be conducted, including anMRI(magnetic resonance imaging) or aCT scan(computed tomography scan) to check for changes in the brain.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a test called the Banyan BTI (Brain Trauma Indicator), a blood test designed for adults to measure levels of two protein biomarkers released from the brain into the bloodstream within 12 hours of the injury.
Yes. A concussion will typically be diagnosed using a physical exam, which involves testing vision, hearing, balance, coordination, reflexes, memory, and concentration. Other tests may need to be conducted, including anMRI(magnetic resonance imaging) or aCT scan(computed tomography scan) to check for changes in the brain.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a test called the Banyan BTI (Brain Trauma Indicator), a blood test designed for adults to measure levels of two protein biomarkers released from the brain into the bloodstream within 12 hours of the injury.
Concussion symptoms can begin immediately following a head injury, but they can also develop over the course of a few hours or even a few days.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Concussion.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion signs and symptoms.Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RGL, Covic A, Gorbunova A, Voormolen DC, Master CL, Haagsma JA, Diaz-Arrastia R, von Steinbuechel N.A Multidimensional Approach to Post-concussion Symptoms in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.Front Neurol.2018 Dec 19;9:1113. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.01113Corwin DJ, Grady MF, Joffe MD, Zonfrillo MR.Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting.Pediatr Emerg Care.2017 Sep;33(9):643-649. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001252Nationwide Children’s Hospital.A Parent’s Guide to Concussions.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.Tator CH.Concussions and their consequences: current diagnosis, management and prevention.CMAJ.2013 Aug 6;185(11):975-979. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion danger signs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about concussion and brain injury.Michigan University Health.Concussion Facts: 8 Common Misconceptions about Concussions.Medline Plus.Concussion Tests.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Concussion.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion signs and symptoms.Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RGL, Covic A, Gorbunova A, Voormolen DC, Master CL, Haagsma JA, Diaz-Arrastia R, von Steinbuechel N.A Multidimensional Approach to Post-concussion Symptoms in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.Front Neurol.2018 Dec 19;9:1113. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.01113Corwin DJ, Grady MF, Joffe MD, Zonfrillo MR.Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting.Pediatr Emerg Care.2017 Sep;33(9):643-649. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001252Nationwide Children’s Hospital.A Parent’s Guide to Concussions.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.Tator CH.Concussions and their consequences: current diagnosis, management and prevention.CMAJ.2013 Aug 6;185(11):975-979. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion danger signs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about concussion and brain injury.Michigan University Health.Concussion Facts: 8 Common Misconceptions about Concussions.Medline Plus.Concussion Tests.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Concussion.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion signs and symptoms.Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RGL, Covic A, Gorbunova A, Voormolen DC, Master CL, Haagsma JA, Diaz-Arrastia R, von Steinbuechel N.A Multidimensional Approach to Post-concussion Symptoms in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.Front Neurol.2018 Dec 19;9:1113. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.01113Corwin DJ, Grady MF, Joffe MD, Zonfrillo MR.Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting.Pediatr Emerg Care.2017 Sep;33(9):643-649. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001252Nationwide Children’s Hospital.A Parent’s Guide to Concussions.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.Tator CH.Concussions and their consequences: current diagnosis, management and prevention.CMAJ.2013 Aug 6;185(11):975-979. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion danger signs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about concussion and brain injury.Michigan University Health.Concussion Facts: 8 Common Misconceptions about Concussions.Medline Plus.Concussion Tests.
MedlinePlus.Concussion.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion signs and symptoms.
Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RGL, Covic A, Gorbunova A, Voormolen DC, Master CL, Haagsma JA, Diaz-Arrastia R, von Steinbuechel N.A Multidimensional Approach to Post-concussion Symptoms in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.Front Neurol.2018 Dec 19;9:1113. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.01113
Corwin DJ, Grady MF, Joffe MD, Zonfrillo MR.Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting.Pediatr Emerg Care.2017 Sep;33(9):643-649. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001252
Nationwide Children’s Hospital.A Parent’s Guide to Concussions.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.
Tator CH.Concussions and their consequences: current diagnosis, management and prevention.CMAJ.2013 Aug 6;185(11):975-979. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120039
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion danger signs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about concussion and brain injury.
Michigan University Health.Concussion Facts: 8 Common Misconceptions about Concussions.
Medline Plus.Concussion Tests.
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