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: