If you recently hit your head, you might be wondering, “Do I have a concussion?” If you experience any of the signs and symptoms, or just don’t feel right after a hit to the head or body, you may have a concussion.
It is important to seek medical attention if you think you or your child may have a concussion.
The content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Symptoms of concussions are classified into four different categories; physical, mental, emotional, and sleep. This means that there are many different ways that concussions can affect you. Therefore, it is important to know all of the possible symptoms. In fact, many people think that they don’t have a concussion because they weren’t knocked out, and don’t have a headache or dizziness. However, those are just a few of the many possible symptoms of concussions. The table on this page will help you understand the different symptoms by category.
If you observe any of the following, seek immediate medical attention!
If it’s possible you have a concussion, but you’re not sure, it is best to stop physical activity until you get evaluated by a competent healthcare professional. Sitting out for one practice or game to make sure that you are okay, is better than trying to push through a potential concussion and continue to play. Research shows that when you don’t report a possible concussion and continue to play sports, you may slow your recovery. Ultimately, you could end up sitting out much longer by not taking a break and reporting the injury immediately.
So, do I have a concussion?
As you can see, there are many possible symptoms that could be associated with concussions. Ultimately, it is best not to self-diagnose. Again, if you experience any of these symptoms, or just don’t feel right after a hit to the head, get medical care. Your athletic trainer or other healthcare professional will help ensure that you are okay and it is safe to resume sports or other physical activity.
When dealing with a possible concussion, it is best to see a healthcare professional trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions. You will receive a detailed evaluation, including a history of the incident and a review of your symptoms. In addition, they will assess your mental function and perform a complete neurological exam. This helps to determine whether or not you have a concussion. Next, you will get a recommend treatment program designed for the specific symptoms that you are experiencing. The goal is to give you the best environment to recover from your injury.
Learn more about concussion testing and concussion protocol.
References
Sports-Related Concussions in Youth: Improving the Science, Changing the Culture. Committee on Sports-Related Concussions in Youth; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Institute of Medicine; National Research Council; Graham R, Rivara FP, Ford MA, et al., editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2014 Feb 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK185340/#__NBK185340_dtls__
