What Is a Concussion?

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a mild brain injury that happens after a bump or hit to the head. A person may pass out for a short time, but sometimes they don’t. A concussion can change the way someone feels in their body, emotions and thinking. Brain scans like MRIs or CT scans usually do not show a concussion. This is because the problems are caused by changes in the brain’s chemicals and energy. It is important to listen to doctors so the brain can heal.

Concussion symptoms can affect daily life and may not look the same for everyone. Many people start to feel better in a few days or weeks. Some may still have symptoms that last longer. Doctors can help by giving care and treatment for these symptoms.

Symptoms

Body

• Headache
• Feeling wobbly or unsteady
• Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up
• Feeling very tired or having no energy
• Hard time falling asleep or staying asleep
• Things look fuzzy or doubled
• Bright lights or loud noises bother you

Emotions

• Getting upset or annoyed easily
• Having trouble sitting still or feeling fidgety
• Feeling worried or nervous a lot
• Feeling sad or down for a long time
• Emotions changing quickly from happy to sad or angry
• Getting angry easily or having a hard time handling stress

Thinking

• Forgetting things for a short time or longer
• Feeling mixed up or unsure what’s happening
• Taking longer to understand or solve problems
• Feeling like your brain is cloudy or unclear
• Having a hard time focusing on tasks or schoolwork

What do I do if I have a concussion?

• Give your brain time to rest.
• Take breaks from sports, running and other physical activities.
• Take breaks from schoolwork, homework and other thinking activities.
• Be careful not to do too much too soon. Doing too much too fast can make symptoms worse.
• Start activities slowly. As you start feeling better, slowly do more physical and thinking activities.
• Return to your normal activities only if symptoms do not get worse.

How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapy will depend on your symptoms and needs. Your physical therapist will look at your symptoms and balance abilities. They will also look at how your symptoms are affecting your daily life. Your physical therapist will help you to be safe to go back to daily activities.

How does balance relate to a concussion?

Your inner ear has a system that helps you with balance. It helps you stay balanced when you are moving in different ways. It also helps your eyes stay focused when your head moves.

This system is very small and fragile. It can be hurt, which can cause dizziness and trouble balancing. Home activities from your physical therapist will help you manage these problems and get back to normal faster.