A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can occur after a blow to the head or a sudden force that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Concussions can happen during motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, work-related accidents, and other traumatic events. Symptoms may begin immediately or develop hours later.
Common Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussion symptoms can affect how a person feels, thinks, moves, and responds to their surroundings. Some symptoms are mild, while others can interfere with work, driving, sleep, concentration, or everyday activities.
Headache and Dizziness
Headache is one of the most common concussion symptoms. Some people may also experience dizziness, lightheadedness, balance problems, or a feeling of being unsteady after the injury.
Nausea and Sensitivity to Light or Noise
A concussion may cause nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, sensitivity to loud sounds, or discomfort in busy environments. These symptoms can make normal daily activities more difficult.
Difficulty Concentrating or Remembering
A concussion can affect attention, memory, and thinking speed. A person may feel mentally foggy, have trouble focusing, forget recent events, or find it harder to complete tasks that normally feel routine.
Fatigue and Changes in Sleep
Some people feel unusually tired after a concussion or notice changes in their normal sleep pattern. They may sleep more than usual, have difficulty falling asleep, or wake frequently during the night.
Symptoms Can Be Delayed
Concussion symptoms do not always appear immediately after an injury. In some cases, headache, dizziness, concentration problems, nausea, or sensitivity to light and noise may become more noticeable several hours after a motor vehicle accident, fall, or other traumatic event.
Concussions After a Motor Vehicle Accident
A direct blow to the head is not always required for a concussion to occur. The sudden acceleration and deceleration forces of a motor vehicle accident can cause the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This is one reason concussion symptoms should not be ignored after a collision, even when there is no obvious head injury.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Seek urgent medical attention for severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, increasing confusion, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, unequal pupils, unusual behavior, or difficulty waking. These symptoms may indicate a more serious injury and should not be managed as a routine musculoskeletal complaint.
Evaluation After a Head Injury
If you develop concussion symptoms after a motor vehicle accident, sports injury, fall, or work-related incident, an appropriate medical evaluation can help determine the severity of the injury and guide the next steps in care. Musculoskeletal symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, or headaches may also need to be evaluated separately when they occur alongside a concussion.