First Aid - Concussions

Head injuries like concussions are often very serious. Since they impact your brain, you should know the different signs of concussions and symptoms to look for if you or someone else experiences head trauma. In this topic, you’ll learn about what concussions are, the dangers of being concussed, and how to identify a concussion in yourself or others.

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This topic is currently available in English.

1. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by violent contact to the head which causes the brain to collide with the skull to some extent, creating chemical changes and damage in the brain.

2. Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is diagnosed when concussion symptoms persist for more than three weeks after the injury. It occurs in roughly 10%-25% of all concussion cases.

3. People with a history of more than one concussion often experience a longer recovery and more severe symptoms if they’re concussed again, including ongoing problems with concentration and memory loss, and occasionally altered motor skills.

4. Concussion symptoms usually appear within minutes of the injury, but more severe symptoms may take hours to appear. They can last for days, weeks, or longer.

5. The most common physical symptoms of concussions are headaches, ringing ears, nausea, blurry vision, and fatigue or drowsiness. They may occur right away or be delayed.

6. Concussion victims might experience extreme sensitivity to light, memory loss, confusion, and have trouble sleeping. These symptoms can sometimes impact victims for the rest of their lives.

7. If you think someone else might be concussed, look for these signs: trouble remembering the incident, a dazed look, sudden mood or behavior changes, and slow reflexes and responses. Not everyone loses consciousness after being concussed, so it’s important to know the signs.

8. Even mild concussions require medical attention. If you or someone else suffers a suspected concussion, self-monitoring and visiting the doctor in the next 48 hours will help with understanding the severity of the injury.

9. Signs of severe concussions that require immediate emergency care include: one pupil is larger than the other, heavy drowsiness, a headache that worsens and doesn’t go away, slurred speech or numbness, and consistent nausea and vomiting.

10. Don’t return to work or physical activity until all the symptoms of the concussion are gone. During the healing time, the concussion can become more severe if you don’t rest. The concussion can worsen from any second impact, causing serious health implications.