Concussion Checklist: How Do I Know If I Have a Concussion?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs every 15 seconds. TBIs are the number one cause of death in children and young adults.

Brain injuries, including concussions, commonly occur during athletic and recreational activities, but they can also happen as a result of a car accident. If you’ve sustained an injury to your head or body, you should be aware of the signs of concussion.

What are the symptoms of a concussion? We have put together this list of signs & symptoms to watch out for, along with recommendations of what to do if you suspect yourself or someone having a concussion.

How to Tell If You Have a Concussion

If you’ve sustained a bump, jolt, or blow to your head or body, you may have a head injury or a neck injury. A traumatic head blow could include a concussion or even something more serious, especially if you were in an auto accident.

Car wrecks often cause jolting of the head and neck, which allows for the possibility of a head injury or minor concussions. Signs of concussion often show up soon after an injury. The problem is that it can be hard to tell how severe an injury is at first.

Symptoms of a concussion can take hours or days to show up. That’s why it’s important to check for signs of concussion right away, it is a good idea to also check again a few days following an incident.

Concussion Signs Others May Notice

These are signs of a concussion that you might not notice on your own if you were the one injured. If your child or teen shows any of these signs, they may have a concussion:

• Inability to recall events before or after an injury
• Changes to mood, personality, or behavior
• Loss of consciousness
• Clumsiness
• Appearing dazed or stunned
• Confusion or forgetfulness
• Slow to answer questions or respond

Concussion Signs You May Notice

These are the signs of a concussion that you may be able to report on your own. If your child or teen reports any of these signs after a fall or head injury, they may have a concussion:

• Feeling off or down
• Headache
• Pressure in head
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory problems
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Balance problems
• Feeling sluggish
• Feeling hazy, groggy, or foggy
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Blurry vision

What to Do If You Think You Have a Concussion

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of concussion, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Head injuries are nothing to ignore. When in doubt, it’s best to get medical attention right away.

Do You Have Symptoms on the Concussion Checklist?

If you or someone you love has sustained an injury to the head or body and has checked off any of the signs on the concussion checklist, you should seek medical attention immediately. A doctor can perform tests and consider the big picture to determine whether a concussion or brain injury has occurred.

Click here to make an appointment with Lone Star Neurology today.