Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
How Do I know If I have a Concussion?
Concussions can be challenging to identify. As a concussion physiotherapist, I often have people walk through my door who didn’t realize they had a concussion at first, and so did not take themselves out of play or see a medical professional early on. Early care is essential in concussion rehabilitation and can significantly decrease the risk of prolonged symptoms. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a concussion quickly allows you to access care following a concussion. Ideally, we want to see you within THREE days of your injury.
For the first 4-6 hours after hitting your head, you should be on the lookout for any red flag symptoms that indicate you should head to the hospital. Most other concussion symptoms will present in the first 2-3 days after a concussion. That said, symptoms can often be masked as other things (ex. stress, lack of sleep, a hangover, poor nutrition, etc) so may not be recognized for many days, or even weeks.
Lack of recognition of a concussion can be extremely dangerous. For a period of 10 days after a concussion, you are at a heightened risk of second impact syndrome. If a second impact occurs within the first 2 weeks of the first impact, this can cause significant setbacks in terms of recovery times and dramatically increase the risk of persistent post-concussion symptoms. In rare cases, it can cause the brain to swell considerably, and it can be fatal.
Red Flag Symptoms of a Concussion
Most red flag symptoms present in the first 4-6 hours following a concussion. We recommend you stay awake for 4-6 hours after your injury to monitor for these symptoms. After this time, get some sleep. You do not need to be woken up throughout the night - this is a myth in concussion care. If you do have any of these red flag symptoms, go immediately to the hospital. Red flag symptoms include:
Neck pain or tenderness
Double Vision
Weakness or tingling/burning in more than one arm or in the legs
Severe or increasing headache
Seizure or convulsion
Loss of consciousness
Decreasing level of consciousness
Vomiting
Increasing restlessness, agitation or combativeness
Visible deformity of the skull
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussion symptoms can present in a variety of different ways. Most people will have a combination of various symptoms. There are four main areas where concussion symptoms present; Physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, emotional symptoms, and disrupted sleep.
Physical Symptoms
Headaches
Light Headedness
Dizziness
Light Sensitivity
Sound Sensitivity
Neck Pain
Zinging or Tingling
Fatigue
Nausea
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Vomiting
Blurry Vision
Balance Issues
Exercise Intolerance
Cognitive Symptoms
Memory issues
Word finding issues
“Feeling slowed down”
“Don’t feel right”
Confusion
Disorientation
“Foggy”
Zoning
Difficulty Concentration
Emotional Symptoms
Irritability
Sadness
Depression
Emotional Lability
Personality Changes
Sleep Issues
Difficulty falling asleep
Difficulty staying asleep
Sleeping more than normal
Falling asleep at inappropriate times
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is encouraged that you seek medical guidance as soon as possible. It is never too soon, as evidence shows starting rehab early can significantly reduce the risk of prolonged symptoms. As a physio, ideally, we want to see you within THREE days of sustaining a concussion!
You should be seeking care from your doctor, as well as a physiotherapist who specializes in concussion care. At Ridgeline Physio, we are happy to be able to support our community by providing evidence-based concussion rehabilitation both in-person and virtually to anyone in BC. If you have any questions please call us, email us or book online. We look forward to working with you!
