How do you check for a concussion at home?

Look for:
  1. Changes in day-to-day functioning.
  2. Eye pain and/or eye fatigue.
  3. Headache.
  4. Changes in sleep patterns.
  5. Neck pain or stiffness.
  6. Imbalance, dropping things, bumping into things.
  7. Impaired depth perception (having difficulty seeing the distance between two items)
  8. Difficulty remembering things.
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How do you test for a concussion fast?

If the athlete takes a blow to their head, the athlete goes to the sideline and retakes the test. If the athlete completes the test five seconds slower than the first time they took the test, they may have a concussion. This test has also been called the 1-minute concussion test or the 2-minute concussion test.
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How do you check if you have a concussion with a flashlight?

After more serious head injuries are excluded, a diagnosis of concussion can be made. Medical professionals have long used the pupillary light reflex — usually in the form of a penlight test where they shine a light into a patient's eyes — to assess severe forms of brain injury.
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What do you do for a mild concussion?

Rest (for 1–2 days after the concussion)
  • Relax at home. ...
  • Avoid or cut down on screen time. ...
  • Don't drive.
  • Avoid all sports and any activities (such as roughhousing with friends, or riding a bike or skateboard) that could lead to another head injury.
  • Sleep:
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How do I know if I have concussion?

bleeding from their ears or bruising behind their ears. numbness or weakness in part of their body. problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing. hit their head at speed, such as in a car crash, being hit by a car or bike or a diving accident.
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Concussion Evaluation



Can a concussion go away by itself?

Most concussions resolve on their own without any lasting effects. However, some concussions can accompany a more serious injury that requires treatment. Seek emergency treatment if you notice any of the following after a concussion: sudden, intense headaches.
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Can you go to sleep with a concussion?

Generally, both adults2 and children3 can safely sleep after a concussion, once they have visited their doctor or an emergency room. Although sleeping after a concussion is considered safe, it is more difficult to assess a person's symptoms when they are asleep.
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Can you go to sleep after hitting your head?

It is generally considered safe for people with head injuries or concussions to go to sleep. In some cases, a doctor may recommend waking the person regularly to make sure his or her condition has not worsened.
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What happens if you go to sleep with a concussion?

Summary. Sleeping isn't dangerous when you have a concussion. You won't slip into a coma or die if you go to sleep after getting a concussion. It's safe for a concussed person to sleep if they are awake and can hold a conversation, and they don't have obvious concussion symptoms.
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How do you rule out a concussion?

Your doctor may order imaging tests — such as MRI or CT scans — to make sure there's no bruising or bleeding in your brain. To confirm a concussion diagnosis, your doctor will use the data from your: Exam and interview.
...
Concussion testing and exams
  1. Verbal and visual memory.
  2. Brain processing speed.
  3. Reaction time.
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Do I have a concussion questions?

Ask the person the following questions; • What do you remember just prior to the impact? Do you remember what happened? How did you get here? Did you come by yourself, if not who came with you?
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How long after hitting head can concussion symptoms start?

"For some people, the symptoms after a concussion may not become apparent until later in the day,” says Beth Kolar, advanced clinician at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Main Line Health, who explains that delayed concussion symptoms may present 24 to 48 hours after and injury.
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Should I go to hospital if I hit my head?

Anyone who has just sustained an impact to the head should immediately seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or visiting an emergency room if they experience any of the following symptoms: Loss of consciousness. Inability to recognize people or places. Trouble with balance or walking.
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How long does a mild concussion last?

Concussions can range from mild to severe, however even mild concussions require a recovery period. On average, it takes approximately 7-10 days to recover from a concussion. However, this can vary from individual to individual and you may continue to experience concussion symptoms for longer than 7-10 days.
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What are the 4 categories of concussion symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of concussion reported within 1 to 7 days post injury (see Table 3-3) typically fall into four categories—physical (somatic), cognitive, emotional (affective), and sleep—and patients will experience one or more symptoms from one or more categories.
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How do you know if your brain is bleeding after hitting your head?

Sharp and painful headaches, along with confusion, are often the first signs of brain bleeding. However, the symptoms often depend on the bleed's location. If you recently suffered from brain trauma and begin experiencing different or worsening symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.
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How do you treat a head injury at home?

Be guided by your doctor, but self-care suggestions include:
  1. Don't drive home from the hospital. ...
  2. Rest quietly for the day.
  3. Use icepacks over any swollen or painful area.
  4. Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol for any headache. ...
  5. Arrange for someone to stay with you for the next 24 hours, in case you need help.
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What should you not do when concussed?

Activities to Avoid After a Concussion
  1. watching television.
  2. reading.
  3. using a computer/tablet.
  4. video gaming.
  5. texting.
  6. listening to music on headphones.
  7. doing homework.
  8. using the telephone.
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Do showers help concussions?

Stress can make symptoms worse. Help calm yourself by resting in a quiet place and imagining a peaceful scene. Relax your muscles by soaking in a hot bath or taking a hot shower. Take over-the-counter acetaminophen to relieve headache pain.
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What part of the head is most prone to concussions?

The parts of the brain that are most commonly affected in traumatic brain injury are the frontal and temporal lobes. And part of the reason for that is that they're up against bone, and it's fairly rigid and rough bone.
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What does a concussion headache feel like?

Characteristics: Following a concussion, you can develop a headache that resembles a migraine headache. Pain tends to be in the front of the head area of your forehead or temple. It is commonly described as a 'pounding' or 'throbbing' pain. It is sometimes associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise.
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How can you tell if you have a concussion by your eyes?

The most common eye problems include:
  1. Blurred or double vision.
  2. Sensitivity to light and photophobia.
  3. Partial vision loss.
  4. Eye or ocular pain.
  5. Abnormal eye movements.
  6. Visual motion sensitivity.
  7. Vertical heterophoria.
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What will a doctor do for a concussion?

If you visit a general practitioner, you probably won't get any treatment you couldn't get at home. Most family doctors stick to old concussion advice: bedrest in a dark room with no screens or strenuous activity. If any structural damage is suspected, they might order a CT scan or an MRI.
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When should you get checked for a concussion?

Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea. A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time.
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What happens if a mild concussion goes untreated?

A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
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