Concussion: Symptoms and treatment
On this page
- About concussion
- Symptoms of a concussion
- Get help right away if you have these symptoms
- What to do if you have a concussion
- Treating a concussion
- Concussion training
About concussion
A concussion is a type of brain injury. It often happens because of a hit to the:
- head
- neck or face
- body
When you are hit on the head or body, your brain moves inside the skull. This movement can cause brain injury, such as a concussion.
A concussion causes changes in the way you think and feel. You could have a concussion even if you don’t pass out. It is always a good idea to have your doctor or health care provider check you.
It is also important to have someone observe you for a few days after you have injured yourself. Everyone experiences concussion differently and symptoms can take hours or days to develop.
Most people recover in 10 days to 4 weeks, but recovery times can vary. Children and youth typically take longer than adults to recover from a concussion.
Symptoms of a concussion
A concussion can’t be seen on routine image scans, such as an MRI, X-ray or CT scan. It is diagnosed by observing changes in the way a person thinks and feels.
Symptoms can affect:
- the body (physical)
- thinking
- emotions
- sleep
| The Body | Thinking | Emotions | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dizzy | Confused | Irritable | Can’t sleep |
| Headache | Sleepy | Nervous or anxious | Sleeping poorly |
| Sick to the stomach | Can’t think | More emotional | Sleeping too much |
| Pressure in the head | Can’t remember | Feeling foggy | - |
| Trouble with balance | Tired or low energy | Sad | - |
| Sensitive to light or noise | - | - | - |
| Blurry vision | - | - | - |
Get help right away if you have these symptoms
- neck pain
- double vision
- loss of consciousness
- seizure or convulsion
- vomiting over and over again
- headache is severe or getting worse
- weak, tingling or burning feeling in arms or legs
What to do if you have a concussion
If you think you have a concussion, stop what you are doing and seek medical help.
If you think your child or teenager might have a concussion:
- make them stop what they are doing
- stay with them
- get them to a doctor as soon as possible
If the person is unconscious, call 911. Do not:
- move the person
- remove any equipment, like a helmet or padding, in case of an injury to the spine
Treating a concussion
If you have a concussion, your doctor will monitor your symptoms and tell you when you can return to activities. Your doctor may also ask for support from other health professionals like a:
- neurologist
- physiotherapist
- occupational therapist
Usually, symptoms will go away in 1 to 4 weeks. If you or your child has had a concussion before, or there are other health factors, recovery may take longer.
Gender differences
Research shows that females and males with a concussion have different symptoms. Their recovery is also different.
Knowing these differences will help health care providers improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Video: Applying GBA+ to Concussion Prevention and Treatment
Concussion training
In Canada, only doctors and nurse practitioners can medically assess patients with a head injury. Assessments include:
- conducting a clinical history and physical examination
- ordering diagnostic tests as needed
- referring to medical sub-specialists
There are exceptions, however.
- Quebec: nurse practitioners cannot make a clinical diagnosis of concussion
- Manitoba: physician assistants are licensed to conduct medical assessments
Learn more about medical assessment and who should diagnose a concussion in Canada.
There is a concussion awareness credit course for health care providers.