Concussion Care
Use when asked for general educational information about concussion care — common symptoms, general self-care measures, and when to seek urgent medical attention — for education only, not medical advice; always direct the reader to consult a doctor or health care professional.
> ⚠️ Ask your doctor or health care professional. This information is AI generated for education and NOT medical advice.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head (or body, transmitting force to the head), temporarily affecting brain function. Any suspected concussion should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Common symptoms
Headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, memory or concentration problems, and — in children — irritability or changes in play/behaviour. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over the following hours or days.
General self-care measures (after medical evaluation)
- Rest, both physically and cognitively, in the initial period as advised by a clinician.
- Gradually return to normal activity following professional guidance — a structured, stepwise return (not "resting completely" indefinitely, nor pushing straight back to normal activity) is the current standard approach.
- Avoid activities with a risk of repeat head injury until cleared — a second concussion before recovery from the first carries elevated risk.
- Avoid alcohol and other substances that impair the brain's recovery.
When to seek urgent medical attention
- Any suspected concussion should be assessed by a medical professional, ideally the same day.
- Seek emergency care immediately for: worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, one pupil larger than the other, slurred speech, increasing confusion, weakness/numbness, or loss of consciousness after the injury — see Urgent Emergency Care.
- Symptoms that worsen rather than gradually improve over the following days.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming no loss of consciousness means no concussion — most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness; that's a common misconception, not a reliable rule.
- Returning to sport or strenuous activity before being cleared — a repeat head injury before full recovery carries disproportionate risk (including, rarely, a serious condition called second-impact syndrome).
- Resting completely for an extended period rather than following a structured return-to-activity plan — current guidance favours a gradual, staged return over prolonged strict rest.
Learn more
- Neurology Assessment, Sports Medicine Assessment for related clinical assessments (including SCAT6 concussion baseline testing).
- Urgent Emergency Care for recognizing when a head injury needs emergency care.
- Health Care for general navigation of health systems.