Most of us have bumped our heads at some point. But sometimes, that hit is more than just a bump. It could be a concussion, which is a type of brain injury that can have lasting effects if not properly treated.
Here’s how concussions happen, how to spot one, and how to recover.
What is a concussion?
A concussion happens when a sudden jolt (from a fall, hit, or collision) causes your brain to shake or twist inside your skull. That movement can damage brain cells, stretch blood vessels, and trigger chemical changes that affect the way your brain works. Even if you stay conscious, it still counts as a brain injury.
How common are concussions?
Between 1 and 3 million Americans visit the emergency room each year for a concussion. Kids, teens, and young adults are especially vulnerable, often because of sports or accidents. Older adults are also at greater risk, mostly due to falls.
What does a concussion feel like?
Symptoms don’t always appear right away. For some people, they show up within minutes. For others, it might take hours or even days.
Physically, you might feel dizzy or lightheaded, get a headache, or feel pressure in your head or neck. Vision problems, like blurred or double vision, are also common. Nausea, ringing in the ears, and sensitivity to light or noise can also be signs.
Mentally, people often describe feeling foggy or slowed down. You might have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or just feel off.
Concussions can affect your mood, too. It’s not unusual to feel irritable, anxious, or sad after a head injury. And sleep patterns often get disrupted. Either you sleep more than usual or you have trouble falling and staying asleep.
When to see a doctor
You should definitely see a doctor within 1 – 2 days if you think you may have a concussion. But it’s especially urgent to go to the emergency room if you have repeated vomiting, trouble staying awake, confusion, slurred speech, a worsening headache, or sudden behavior changes. Vision changes, weakness or numbness, any sudden loss of consciousness, and difficulty walking are also serious signs.
How is a concussion diagnosed?
There’s no single test to confirm a concussion. Instead, doctors use a mix of questions and physical exams to check your balance, memory, reflexes, and focus. In some cases, they may order a brain scan to rule out more serious issues like bleeding or swelling.
How to recover from a concussion
All concussions are not the same, and the path to recovery depends on how severe a concussion is. That’s one of the reasons why seeing a doctor is so important. They will provide recommendations based on each individual case.
Usually, the most important thing you can do is rest. That means taking a break from school, work, screens, and exercise. Hydration and good nutrition can also help. Focus on drinking water and eating foods high in protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
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Avoid alcohol while recovering. Hold off on driving or operating machinery. And if you're planning to travel by plane, train, or boat, check with your doctor first.
Usually, you can start easing back into daily life after 48 hours, but it’s important to take it slow. Most people recover fully within a few weeks, but if you've had a previous concussion, it could take longer. Again, follow your doctor’s advice.
Can concussions be prevented?
Not every head injury can be avoided, but there are ways to lower your risk. At home, keep walkways clear and well lit to avoids trips and falls. Install grab bars in bathrooms and use safety gates for young children. In the car, always wear a seatbelt and make sure children are buckled into the proper car or booster seat.
If you play sports or ride a bike, skateboard, or scooter, wear a helmet that fits properly. Talk to coaches or trainers about concussion protocols and be honest about any symptoms you notice after a hit.
Heads up
Concussions are serious but treatable. If you think you might have one, listen to your body and talk to a doctor right away. Rest is the best medicine, and recovery takes time. With the right care, most people make a full recovery and get back to feeling like themselves.