Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow to the head or body. A traumatic injury of this type can affect your physical and cognitive abilities, interrupt your sleep patterns and impact your emotions and behavior.

Because a concussion can become a serious medical issue, it's critical to seek expert care quickly. When treated promptly and correctly, concussions resolve quickly, with symptoms improving in a short time.

To find an expert in concussion care, email our Concussion Management Network.

Learn more about other types of brain injuries.

Concussion symptoms

While there are common symptoms to watch out for with a concussion, no two people have the exact same symptoms, and each concussion can affect a person differently.

Common concussion symptoms to watch out for include:

• Headache
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Problems sleeping
• Feeling “foggy”
• Confusion

How do you know if you should go to the emergency department?

If you or someone you know experience the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department right away, as something besides a concussion may need to be addressed:

• Inability to wake up
• Weakness on one side of your body
• Difficulty speaking
• Severe increase in pain
• Vomiting several hours after the injury

How long does a concussion last?

Concussions typically resolve within seven to 10 days. However, factors such as past health problems, genetics, family conditions and the type of impact may affect how long symptoms last.

Symptoms alone are not reliable indicators of whether a concussion is still present. Sometimes symptoms can persist longer than the concussion or may not appear at all. The best way to determine if your concussion has resolved is to be evaluated by a health care professional with expertise in concussions.

Do you have:

• Questions about complications from a head injury?
• Questions regarding the impact of multiple concussions?
• Prolonged symptoms?
• Concerns about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?

Email the Concussion Management Network or ask your primary care provider for a referral to our team.

Our concussion experts

Advocate brings together a multidisciplinary team of concussion experts who work together to diagnose your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan to match your specific needs.

Concussion diagnosis

Using various testing tools, we can effectively diagnose your concussion and plan for your recovery. Our health care team will:

• Perform a physical examination
• Check your reflexes, coordination, senses and mental state
• Ask how your symptoms are affecting your daily life

You may see a neurologist to help rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms, including difficulty thinking and concentrating, or chronic headaches.

Recovering from a concussion

Everyone’s concussion treatment and recovery process is unique. Resuming activities like work, school and sports is a step-by-step process. At Advocate, our experts will guide you through treatment so that you recover as quickly as possible and get back to your life.

Most people with a concussion need to rest to let the brain heal. While rest is important, you don’t need to stay in a dark, quiet room or have someone wake you up every hour, contrary to popular opinion. Wait for your doctor’s approval before you resume physical activities, especially contact sports.

Our providers know the latest guidelines and state regulations for returning students to school and sport. Your treatment plan will include specific recommendations for:

• Physical activity
• Cognitive activity
• Social activity
• Sleep

Should you have questions about medications or whether you should be driving or operating heavy machinery, email our Concussion Management Network.

Can you prevent a concussion?

Helmets and other safety equipment should be worn to prevent injuries to the head and body, but they provide minimal protection against concussions. Still, it’s important to practice basic safety such as wearing a seat belt in automobiles and following safety guidelines in sports or when operating heavy equipment.