What Is a Concussion? Signs, Symptoms and What to Do Next.
Concussion is a brain injury that can affect thinking, balance, vision, energy, sleep, mood and tolerance for everyday activity.
You do not need to lose consciousness, and symptoms are not always obvious straight away.
A concussion changes how the brain is functioning, even when scans are normal.
A concussion can follow a direct impact to the head, face or neck, or a force elsewhere in the body that causes rapid movement of the head.
Symptoms can appear immediately or evolve over the hours and days after the injury. A person may remain awake, keep talking and even continue playing despite having a concussion.
There is no single test that diagnoses concussion.
- Loss of consciousness is not required
- Symptoms can change after the injury
- Clinical assessment looks at more than symptoms alone
- Return to activity should be gradual and guided
Concussion can look different from one person to the next.
Physical
Headache, dizziness, nausea, neck pain, fatigue, sensitivity to light or noise.
Vision + Balance
Blurred vision, motion sensitivity, difficulty focusing, unsteadiness or feeling off balance.
Thinking
Brain fog, feeling slowed down, concentration problems, memory difficulty or confusion.
Sleep + Mood
Sleep changes, irritability, anxiety, emotional changes or feeling easily overwhelmed.
Protect, monitor, then begin a gradual return to activity.
Stop the activity
No same-day return to sport after suspected concussion.
Check for red flags
Seek urgent medical care if there is deterioration or concern for a more serious injury.
Use relative rest
For the first 24 to 48 hours, keep activity light rather than shutting everything down completely.
Build activity back
Gradually return to normal daily activity as tolerated and according to clinical advice.
Choose the pathway that matches your situation.
Some head injuries need urgent medical care.
Call 000 or attend an emergency department for serious or worsening symptoms such as seizure, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, difficulty waking, weakness or numbness, double vision, severe or worsening headache, significant neck pain or visible skull deformity.
Do not delay emergency care to complete an online screening tool or attend a clinic appointment.
Concerned about a concussion?
A structured assessment can help clarify what has been affected and what the next stage of recovery should look like.