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Concussion Symptoms: Concussion 101 Guide
There has been growing concern in Australia and internationally about the increasing number of sport-related concussions and the potential health consequences for athletes during their athletic careers and beyond
A concussion is an injury to the brain where, as a consequence, the brain doesn’t work properly for a period of time after the injury. These periods differ between people and between concussions.
A concussion can occur after someone experiences a preventable trauma (e.g. a forceful hit to the head, such as falling from a bike without wearing a helmet) or an accident (e.g. a car accident, an injury during an AFL match, or simply while playing in the playground).
The force does not have to be large to result in a concussion. Whiplash or a low tackle where the head isn’t directly impacted can also cause concussion.
Any signs of concussion should be taken seriously and managed by a medical professional. Unfortunately, scans such as CT and MRI are not very effective at detecting a concussion. This is why it is important to recognise concussion symptoms without relying only on imaging.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
Recognising concussion symptoms early is important for proper management and recovery.
| Memory loss | Nausea or vomiting |
| Confusion | Ringing ears |
| Headache | Difficulty concentrating |
| Vision disturbances (double or blurry vision) | Sensitivity to light |
| Dizziness or imbalance | Loss of smell or taste |
| Trouble falling asleep | Neck pain |
Symptoms can be short-lived or may last for weeks. Sometimes symptoms resolve and then reappear when returning to sport or activities that challenge the brain, such as school or work.
From a sporting perspective, if you are unsure whether someone has a sports concussion, it is better to be safe than sorry and remove the person from activity for rest and medical examination.
“if in doubt sit them out”.
Do’s and Don’ts for Concussion Management
Proper concussion management is essential to allow the brain to recover safely.
What To Do After a Concussion
Stop activity immediately : Immediately stop the activity you are doing if you think you may have a concussion.
Seek urgent medical help if serious symptoms appear
Seek medical attention if you notice the following symptoms, as they may indicate a more serious brain injury:
- numbness or tingling in multiple limbs
- seizures or convulsions
- loss of consciousness
- vomiting
- visible deformity of the skull or neck pain or tenderness
- unusual behaviour or confusion
- slurred speech
- unsteadiness on their feet
Follow concussion protocols : If your sport or workplace has a concussion protocol, follow the guidance within the protocol.
Monitor symptoms : Monitor for changes in behaviour or other concussion symptoms over the next 3–5 days, as more serious brain injury may not present immediately.
Allow the brain to rest
Let your brain rest and give it time to recover.
- Take things slowly and allow more time to complete normal tasks.
- Take it easy for the first few days after a concussion. Spend time doing calming activities that do not worsen symptoms, such as knitting or reading.
- Avoid or reduce exposure to screens, bright or flashing lights, and loud noise.
- Avoid pro-inflammatory foods such as processed meats, fast food, and sugar.
- Be mindful of activities that may worsen symptoms, including driving, school, work, sport, exercise, or busy environments.
What Not To Do After a Concussion
- Do not be left alone for at least 3 hours after the concussion in case symptoms worsen.
- Do not force yourself to stay awake. The body and brain recover best with rest and sleep.
- Do not hide in a dark room with no stimulation. While reducing stimulation may help initially, completely blocking all stimulation is no longer recommended.
- Do not ignore concussion symptoms, as they indicate that the brain is still recovering.
- Do not return to sport while symptoms are still present without clearance from a medical professional.
- Do not drink alcohol, use recreational drugs, or take medications that are not prescribed by a medical professional. Anti-inflammatories should also be avoided initially due to increased bleeding risk.
When to Seek Medical Help for Concussion
A concussion is a serious brain injury. You should seek help from a medical professional experienced in concussion care if you suspect you have sustained a concussion.
This is especially important if symptoms continue for a prolonged period after the injury.
Early assessment and proper concussion management can support a safe recovery and return to normal activities.
Categories :
Performance Medicine
