Concussion

The physical symptoms of a concussion include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and or vomiting
• Visual issues
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light or noise

The cognitive symptoms of a concussion include:

The emotional symptoms of a concussion include:

• Irritability
• Sadness or depression
• Anxiety or nervousness

Sleep-related symptoms of a concussion include:

• Increased or decreased amounts of sleep
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Drowsiness or lethargy
• Changes in your sleep cycle

Post-concussion syndrome is typically defined as concussion symptoms that last for greater than a month after the initial head injury. The symptoms can include chronic persistent headaches, personality changes, and academic challenges.

Second impact syndrome can occur when an athlete returns to their sport too early after suffering from an initial head injury (concussion). The brain is more vulnerable to injury if the athlete is still recovering from a concussion and a second impact can cause irreversible damage. The brain’s ability to self-regulate is damaged, which results in increased cerebral blood volume. The pressure in the brain increases rapidly causing brain death in a very short time, and because brain death is so rapid with second impact syndrome, it has a high fatality rate in young athletes.

You should see your doctor after a head injury if you have any of the symptoms listed above. It’s especially important to see your doctor immediately or to go to the emergency room, especially if you have severe headaches, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in your arms and legs, or an increased amount of confusion or sleepiness.