Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Signs of a Concussion

Over the past few decades, our collective understanding of concussions has jumped by leaps and bounds. Today, we appreciate the importance of detecting these brain injuries so we can set some protocols in motion to protect your brain.

Americans, especially athletes, are no strangers to concussions — between 5% and 10% of athletes incur concussions, especially in contact sports. But you certainly don’t have to be an athlete — a slip-and-fall can just as easily lead to this traumatic brain injury. 

Even more concerning, nearly 7% of American kids under the age of 17 develop concussion symptoms in their young brains.

Since detecting these types of brain injuries is so important, Dr. Paul Gill and our team here at Gill Neuroscience review a few of the subtle and not-so-subtle symptoms associated with concussions so you know when to take action and come see us.

Why we’re concerned about concussions

Let's first quickly review why we’re so concerned about concussions. These brain injuries occur when the brain is rocked back and forth inside the skull, which can injure nerves and blood vessels in your brain.

In most cases, the damage in the brain is temporary and it will heal, but our big concern is repeated concussions that can lead to more permanent brain damage.

So, with that in mind, it’s important to identify a concussion so you can take steps to protect your (or a loved one’s) brain health. 

Potential signs of concussion

A big challenge with concussions is that there is a constellation of possible side effects and no two people follow the exact same concussion path. That said, there are some more common concussion symptoms that we want to review here, some of which are hard to ignore while others are a little more sneaky. 

(Please note: If there’s loss of consciousness, seek emergency care right away.)

We also want to point out that the onset of symptoms for concussion can vary. Most develop within 24 hours, but some symptoms may crop up days, weeks, and even months later.

With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at some signs of concussion:

• Headache
• Neck pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision or visual disturbances
• Brain fog
• Problems concentrating
• Memory issues
• Trouble with balance
• Ringing in your ears
• Sleep issues
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression

Again, we emphasize that not everyone experiences all of these symptoms. For example, you can have a mild concussion and only have a minor headache for a day or two. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you can have a moderate concussion and develop far more symptoms from the list above that plague you for days, if not weeks, or more.

Since your brain is so important, we urge you to err on the side of caution. If you or a loved one has banged their head and you’re not sure whether there’s concussion, come see us for an evaluation. Knowing whether you’re dealing with concussion is so important in how you move forward and protect your brain.

For expert diagnosis and treatment of concussions and brain injuries, please call our office in Houston, Texas, at 832-912-7777, or use our online request form to schedule an appointment.