What are the symptoms of a concussion?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that results in a temporary disruption in the way the brain normally functions

While concussions are considered a mild form of brain injury, the effects of a concussion can be serious and warrant appropriate medical attention to optimize recovery.

Concussions can happen in contact related sports, such as football, non-contact related sports, such as cheerleading and even outside of organized sports. For example, riding a bike without a helmet could result in a concussion.

Concussion symptoms are unique to each individual. In fact, even if you have had a concussion before, your second concussion can present with different symptoms than the first.

If you believe your child has a traumatic brain injury or concussion, call your child's doctor immediately.

Common symptoms of concussions include

Physical symptoms 

• Headache
• Pressure in head
• Nausea/vomiting
• Balance difficulties
• Sensitivity to light/noise
• Vision problems
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Cognitive symptoms 

• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Feeling slowed down
• Feeling foggy/sluggish
• Slowed response time
• Difficulty thinking
• Clearly confusion

Sleep symptoms

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Sleeping more than usual
• Sleeping less than usual
• Drowsiness

Emotional symptoms

• Sad
• Irritable
• Feeling more emotional
• Nervous/anxious  
• Loss of interest in activities

In infants and toddlers, you may notice: 

• Changes in play or loss of interest in favorite activities 
• Excessive crying (more than usual/child can't be consoled) 
• Listlessness (child feels floppy in your arms) 
• Loss of new skills such as walking or toilet training 
• Refusal to eat or nurse 
• Swelling of scalp or soft spot 

Watch this video to learn more about detecting and treating concussions.