Understanding Common Concussion Symptoms
The symptoms that can come from a concussion may not be always be immediately apparent. Symptoms can last for weeks or even longer than that. Some of the more common symptoms of a concussion are amnesia, confusion, and headache. The amnesia usually comes with the victim’s loss of ability to remember the event that caused the concussive injury.
Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion are the following:
- Dazed feeling
- Hesitation in answering questions
- Slurred speech
- Nausea
- Ringing in ears
- Dizziness
- Feelings of confusion
- Headache or pressure on the head
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
Not all symptoms will appear immediately after the onset of the head injury. Some concussion symptoms can be delayed by many hours or even days, in some cases. Some other symptoms of concussions that can appear later include:
- Complaints about memory and concentration
- Sensitivity to noises and light
- Irritability
- Troubles with sleep
- Issues with smell and taste
- Depression and other adjustment issues
Concussion Symptoms for Children
Head injuries are very common in children. But because infants and young children are not able to tell adults how they feel, concussion symptoms can be very difficult to spot in this age group. Some concussion symptoms that you can observe in children include the following signs:
- Crankiness and irritability
- Dazed feeling
- Excessive crying
- Change in sleeping and eating habits
- Lack of interest in favorite activities
- Unsteady balance and walking
When You Should See a Doctor
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should call your child’s doctor if your child experiences an injury that is even slightly more heavy than a light bump on their head. If your child shows no sign of a serious head injury, if they remain alert and conscious, then the injury likely will not need further medical attention. Under these circumstances, you can let your child nap if they are tired. If any of the symptoms in this article appear later, immediately seek medical care.
If an adult or child experiences one or more of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:
- Headaches that gets worse as time progresses
- Loss of consciousness that lasts more than 30 seconds
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Confusion
- Slurred speech or noticeable changes in speech
- Nausea
- Change in behavior/irritability