Symptoms:

Symptoms of a concussion can range from mild to severe. They can include:

• Altered level of consciousness (drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes)
• Confusion, feeling spacey, or not thinking straight
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss (amnesia) of events before the injury or immediately after
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seeing flashing lights
• Feeling like you have "lost time"

The following are emergency symptoms of a concussion. Seek immediate medical care if there are:

• Changes in alertness and consciousness
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Muscle weakness on one or both sides
• Persistent confusion
• Persistent unconsciousness (coma)
• Repeated vomiting
• Unequal pupils
• Unusual eye movements
• Walking problems

Head injuries that result in concussion often are associated with injury to the neck and spine. Take particular care when moving patients who have had a head injury.

While recovering from a concussion, you may:

• Be withdrawn, easily upset, or confused
• Have a hard time with tasks that require remembering or concentrating
• Have mild headaches
• Be less tolerant of noise

Signs and tests:

The doctor will perform a physical exam and check your nervous system. There may be changes in your pupil size, thinking ability, coordination, and reflexes.

Tests that may be performed include:

• EEG (brain wave test) may be needed if seizures continue
• Head CT scan
• MRI of the head