---
name: concussion-care
description: 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.
---

# Concussion Care

> ⚠️ **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.