Brain & Nervous System Head Trauma Signs and Symptoms of Concussion By Rod Brouhard, EMT-P facebook twitter linkedin Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. Learn about our editorial process Rod Brouhard, EMT-P Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on July 15, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. She is an associate professor of neurology at Tufts Medical School and medical director of the Lahey Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on August 27, 2019 Print Concussions Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment In This Article Table of Contents Expand Types of Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor When to Seek Emergency Care View All Concussion symptoms are tricky. Signs of damage to the brain vary widely depending on factors such as the severity of the blow to the head or body and the location of the injury. For instance, a jolt to the back of the head, where the occipital region of the brain is, may produce dizziness or vision problems. An injury to the front of the head may produce personality or emotional disturbances. To complicate things further, some concussion symptoms appear right away, while others may not show up for days or even weeks. That's why it's important to regard any blow to the head as potentially leading to a concussion, even if any immediate reactions such as dizziness or disorientation are mild or brief, and to keep an eye out for future symptoms that can appear well after the actual event. © Verywell, 2018 Types of Symptoms One helpful way to look at the myriad symptoms of a concussion is to divide them into types. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists four separate categories of concussion symptoms. Cognitive symptoms: Trouble remembering new information, difficulty thinking clearly or quickly, confusion, inability to concentrate or focusPhysical symptoms: Headache, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting (these are two symptoms that are more likely to show up early), dizziness (vertigo), sensitivity to noise or light, problems with balance and coordination, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, or lack of energyEmotional symptoms: Unexplained irritability, sadness, nervousness, anxiety, or a general tendency to be more emotional than usualSleep-related symptoms: Sleeping longer than usual or less than usual, having trouble falling asleep, or drowsiness In very young children, concussions also may cause inconsolable crying and a refusal to eat or nurse. Complications Even a mild head injury can result in significant problems in the long-term. This is especially true of multiple concussions which "have been linked to the development of delayed brain degeneration," according to the American Society of Neuroradiology. Moreover, immediate signs of concussion such as dizziness and disorientation are often so mild and disappear so quickly, sometimes within minutes, that a person who experiences them will shrug them off. The problem is, any degree of trauma to the brain needs time to heal. A chronic problem related to multiple concussions is depression. One study found that players with depression had sustained significantly more concussion than non-depressed players, and that greater than three concussions appeared to increase the symptoms of depression. Some research has found the prevalence of depression in head trauma patients can be as high as 40%. Several studies have also shown a link between a history of brain injury and a higher probability of developing major depression later in life. When to See a Doctor Although it can take some time for a concussion to bring about symptoms, in some cases it will be clear right away that a person may have a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI). For example, if a football player feels dizzy or disoriented after a tackle causes him to hit his head on the ground or he gets into a helmet-to-helmet collision with another player, he may have suffered a concussion even if he feels perfectly fine after a few seconds. If a blow to the head causes any immediate symptoms, no matter how mild or fleeting they are, stop what you are doing and seek medical attention. It's a good idea to follow up with a neurologist whenever there's the possibility of concussion or TBI. Concussion Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. When to Seek Emergency Care There are obvious signs that emergency care is in order. If you or someone else experiences one or more of the following symptoms after sustaining a blow to the head, however minor it may seem, seek immediate medical attention for a complete evaluation. Difficulty remembering recent events or personal informationA severe headache, particularly one that comes on quickly and in a specific locationSevere stiffness in the neckMental confusion or strange behaviorNausea or vomitingDizziness, poor balance, or unsteady gaitWeakness in the arms or legsExtreme drowsiness or sleepinessUnequal pupil sizesLoss of appetitePersistent ringing in the earsSlurred speechVisual problems, such as seeing stars or blurred visionBleeding or clear fluid coming from the ears or noseConvulsionsLoss of consciousness Concussions: Causes and Risk Factors Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Updated March 11, 2019. American Society of Neuroradiology. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion. Pryor, J., Larson, A., and DeBeliso, M. The Prevalence of Depression and Concussions in a Sample of Active North American Semi-Professional and Professional Football Players. J Lifestyle Med. Mar 2016. 6(1): 7-15. doi:10.15280/jlm.2016.6.1.7 Hart T, Hoffman JM, Pretz C, Kennedy R, Clark AN, Brenner LA. A longitudinal study of major and minor depression following traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(8):1343-9. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2012.03.036 U.S. National Library of Medicine. Concussion. Updated June 28, 2018. Additional Reading Jorge RE, Starkstein SE. Pathophysiologic aspects of major depression following traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2005;20(6):475-87.