Concussion is a type of brain injury. It can be caused by a blow to the head, neck or body.
It can happen even if you’ve stayed conscious (awake) after the injury. Most concussions do not involve a person being knocked out.
If you think someone may have a concussion, they should stop doing any sport immediately.
Who is at risk
Concussions can happen to anyone at any age.
But children and young people may:
- be more likely to get a concussion
- take longer to recover
- have a higher risk of serious or long-term complication - if their symptoms are not managed properly
If someone has a history of concussion, this can increase the risk of it happening again.
Emergency action required: Go to the emergency department (ED) after a head injury if you or your child:
- were knocked out but woke up
- have been vomiting since the injury
- have neck pain or tenderness
- have a headache that does not go away with painkillers
- have a change in behaviour, such as being more irritable
- have problems with memory or thinking
- have a blood-clotting disorder (such as haemophilia)
- take a blood thinner (such as warfarin)
- had brain surgery in the past
You or your child could have concussion. Symptoms usually start within 24 hours but sometimes may not appear for up to 3 weeks.
Urgent advice: Call 112 or 999 if someone has hit their head and:
- is unconscious and has not woken up
- is slow to get up after a direct or indirect hit to the head
- appears confused, dazed, or has a blank stare
- cannot stay awake or keep their eyes open
- has a fit (seizure)
- has problems with their vision
- has a facial injury
- has clear fluid coming from their ears or nose
- bleeds from their ears or has bruising behind their ears
- has numbness or weakness in part of their body
- has problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing
Symptoms of concussion
Symptoms may develop over minutes or hours following the injury. It's important to keep a close eye on the person.
Physical symptoms can include:
- headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
- balance problems
- nausea or vomiting
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- being more sensitive to light or noise
- fatigue or low energy
- not ‘feeling right’
- neck pain
Emotional changes can include:
- being more emotional or irritable
- feeling sad, nervous or anxious
- changes in thinking
- difficulty concentrating or remembering
- feeling slowed down
- feeling as if ‘in a fog’
Managing concussion
Do
-
hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the injury for short periods in the first few days to bring down any swelling
-
rest and avoid stress - you or your child do not need to stay awake if you're tired
-
limit things that make your symptoms worse - for example if you have a headache, fatigue or poor concentration after an activity
-
consider reducing screen time
-
take paracetamol to relieve pain or a headache
-
make sure an adult stays with you or your child for the first 24 hours
Don't
-
do not go back to work or school until you feel better
-
do not drive until you feel fully recovered
-
do not play contact sports for at least 3 weeks - children should avoid rough play for a few days
-
do not take drugs or drink alcohol until you feel better
-
do not take sleeping pills while you're recovering - unless a doctor advises you to
-
do not use ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve pain - they could cause the injury to bleed
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if:
- you or your child's symptoms last more than 2 weeks
- you're not sure if it's safe for you to drive or return to work, school or sports
Diagnosing concussion
There is no test that can rule out concussion. If someone has a head injury, it’s not possible to say for certain if someone does or does not have a concussion.
If someone has gone to hospital with a suspected concussion, they’ll be examined for a severe head injury. Concussion will only be diagnosed once other injuries have been ruled out.
Someone with a suspected concussion may not get a diagnosis if they do not go to hospital. Even so, they should be treated as though they have a concussion.
This is because concussion can sometimes lead to serious complications.
Recovering after concussion
Most young people will cope well when they return to school after a concussion.
But some may have difficulties:
- paying attention and concentrating
- remembering new information
- completing tasks in a timely way
- staying organised
- showing inappropriate or impulsive behaviour
- dealing with their emotions
- coping with stress
- with tiredness
- coping with noise or light
- with headaches, dizziness or nausea
Recovery can be more difficult if you have:
- had concussion before
- a learning difficulty
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- motion sickness
- a history of migraines
When someone is recovering from concussion, they can take paracetamol to help relieve a headache. They should avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs.
Getting plenty of rest and eating well will also help their recovery.