What is a concussion?
Concussions are the most common form of brain injury.
A concussion can be caused by a direct or indirect hit to the head or body, which causes the brain to suddenly shift or shake inside the skull. This could happen in a car collision, a sports collision or simply slipping on an icy surface.
Signs and Symptoms
Concussions are head injuries that can’t be seen with the naked eye. You do not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Signs and symptoms could be immediate, or they may be delayed and not show for some time, perhaps days or even weeks following a hit.
Physical
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss
- Vomiting
- Loss of balance/poor coordination
- Seizures or convulsions
Behavioural
- Irritability
- Personality changes
- Inappropriate emotions
- Sadness
- Anxiety
Cognitive Impairment
- Slow reaction times
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Confusion
- Feeling in a fog
- Feeling dazed
Sleep Disturbances
- Trouble falling asleep
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sleeping less than usual
- Drowsiness
If you think you may have a concussion, you should stop activities immediately and seek medical attention.