Concussion: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury classified as a mild brain injury, resulting from a direct blow to the head or a violent jolt to the head and body (as in accidents, falls, or sports injuries) that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull, temporarily affecting the way brain cells and functions work. Despite being described as mild, it deserves attention and appropriate evaluation.

Concussion symptoms vary and may not all appear immediately; some may be delayed for hours or even days. They include: headache (the most common symptom), dizziness and loss of balance, confusion and a feeling of mental fog, nausea or vomiting, difficulty concentrating and remembering, sensitivity to light and sound, sleep disturbance, and mood changes. A temporary loss of consciousness may occur but is not a requirement for diagnosing a concussion, as most concussions happen without loss of consciousness. It is important to monitor the injured person especially in the first hours after the injury.

The most important aspect in dealing with head injuries is distinguishing a simple concussion, most of which recovers on its own, from warning signs that may indicate a more serious brain injury (such as internal bleeding) and require immediate emergency care, including: a severe headache that worsens, repeated vomiting, a seizure, increasing confusion or difficulty waking, weakness or numbness in a limb, slurred speech, unequal dilation of the eye pupils, or fluid coming from the nose or ear. A simple concussion's main treatment is mental and physical rest in the first days then a gradual return to activity, study, and work, and avoiding activities carrying the risk of a second head injury until full recovery (this is very important for athletes). Most injured people recover within days to weeks, and symptoms, if they last longer, are called post-concussion syndrome and need follow-up.

• Headache (the most common), dizziness, and loss of balance.
• Confusion, mental fog, and nausea or vomiting.
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering, light and sound sensitivity, sleep disturbance.
• Symptoms may be delayed for hours or days.

• A direct blow to the head or a violent jolt to the head and body.
• Accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
• Rapid brain movement inside the skull temporarily affecting its function.

• Clinical assessment of symptoms, neurological functions, and memory.
• CT scan when warning signs are present to exclude bleeding.
• Monitoring the injured person especially in the first hours.

Simple concussion

• Mental and physical rest in the first days then a gradual return to activity, study, and work.
• Avoiding activities with a risk of a second head injury until full recovery (important for athletes).
• Painkillers for headache by the doctor's guidance.

Follow-up

• Following up persistent symptoms (post-concussion syndrome).

This content is educational and does not replace medical evaluation after a head injury.

• Post-concussion syndrome (symptoms continuing weeks or more).
• Risk of second-impact syndrome with a new injury before recovery.
• A more serious brain injury (bleeding) if warning signs are present.

• Wearing a helmet and seatbelts and protecting the head in sports and driving.
• Securing the home to prevent falls of children and the elderly.
• Not returning to sports after a concussion until full recovery and with the doctor's permission.