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Concussion in Adults

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is a concussion? " пїЅ A concussion is a mild brain injury that commonly causes confusion, memory loss, and a headache. Sometimes people pass out (lose consciousness) when they have a concussion, but not always. пїЅ пїЅ

A concussion can happen after a person is hit on the head, face, or neck, or their head or upper body is shaken too hard. Sports injuries, car accidents, and falls are common causes of concussions. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of a concussion? " пїЅ Symptoms that can happen minutes to hours after a concussion include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Memory loss " пїЅ People sometimes forget what caused their injury, as well as what happened right before and after the injury.
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Dizziness or trouble with balance
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling sleepy
  • Acting cranky, strangely, or out of sorts

Symptoms that can happen hours to days after a concussion include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Trouble walking or talking
  • Memory problems or problems paying attention
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Mood or behavior changes
  • Vision changes
  • Being bothered by noise or light

Will I need tests? " пїЅ It depends on your injury and symptoms. To check if you have a concussion, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. He or she will also ask you questions to check that you are thinking clearly. пїЅ пїЅ

If your doctor suspects a serious injury, he or she might order an imaging test of the brain, such as a CT or MRI scan. These tests create pictures of the skull and inside of the brain. пїЅ пїЅ

How is a concussion treated? " пїЅ A concussion does not usually need treatment. Most concussions get better on their own, but it can take time. Some peoples symptoms go away within minutes to hours. Other people have symptoms for weeks to months. When symptoms last a long time, doctors call it "postconcussion syndrome. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

After your concussion, your doctor might recommend that someone watch you for 12 to 24 hours. This person should watch for symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

To help your brain heal after a concussion, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Rest your body " пїЅ Make sure to get plenty of sleep. When you are awake, you should avoid heavy exercise or too much physical activity.
  • Rest your brain " пїЅ Avoid doing activities that need concentration or a lot of attention.
  • Not drink alcohol for 2 days after the injury
  • Take a pain-relieving medicine, if you have a headache " пїЅ You can choose 1 with acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).

When can I play sports or do my usual activities again? " пїЅ Ask your doctor when you can play sports or do your usual activities again. It will depend on your injury and symptoms, as well as the type of sport you play. пїЅ пїЅ

It's important to let your brain heal completely after a concussion. Getting another concussion before your brain has healed may lead to serious brain problems. пїЅ пїЅ

When should I call the doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Call the doctor or nurse if any of the following happen after a concussion: пїЅ пїЅ

  • You vomit more than 3 times
  • You have a severe headache, or a headache that gets worse
  • You have a seizure
  • You have trouble walking or talking
  • Your vision changes
  • You feel weak or numb in part of your body
  • You lose control over your bladder or bowel

If your doctor suggested that someone watch you after your concussion, this person should call the doctor or nurse if he or she: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Can't wake you up
  • Sees any of the symptoms listed above

How can I prevent another concussion? " пїЅ To help prevent another concussion, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Wear a helmet when you ride a bike or motorcycle, or play certain sports
  • Wear a seat belt when you drive or ride in a car

If you have one concussion, it's very important to try to prevent future concussions. Having many concussions might cause long-term brain damage and affect your thinking. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16552 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ