A concussion is a brain injury caused by trauma to the head. When the head receives blunt trauma, such as during a sporting event accident, car accident or fall, the brain can wobble inside the skull and bruise or swell-resulting in a concussion. A bicycle accident with a blow to the head can cause concussion, whether or not a bicycle helmet was worn. Symptoms of a concussion can present immediately after injury, or shortly after. Any accident with head trauma warrants medical evaluation, whether or not concussion symptoms are immediate.
Vomiting
Head trauma which causes a concussion can cause slight swelling to the brain; resulting in nausea and vomiting. These are usually immediate symptoms of a concussion which can occur within minutes after a head injury. Vomiting can be severe and frequent, depending on the extent of the head injury, and may include dry-heaves or an uncontrollable gag-reflex.
Headache
Headaches can appear immediately after suffering a concussion, or hours later. Most headaches are mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. However, the Mayo Clinic advises that a headache which is not manageable, doesn't go away or gets worse over time, may indicate a more severe problem and warrants medical attention. In some instances, a brain scan may be needed to rule out additional problems if a post-concussion headache persists.
Cognitive Problems
A concussion victim may experience confusion, forgetfulness, dizziness or slurred speech after a traumatic injury. These symptoms may occur immediately or within several hours following a concussion, and may last for days or weeks.
The Mayo Clinic states that confusion is a primary symptom of concussion. Someone suffering a concussion may be confused over, or completely forget, the event which caused the concussion. Confusion may be worse if unconsciousness resulted from the injury.
Fatigue
Fatigue commonly accompanies a concussion and can occur immediately, or hours after, sustaining a concussion. Trauma which results in a concussion can affect higher levels of the brain, which are prone to slowing down after injury. This can result in an increased need to sleep or rest. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends allowing a concussion sufferer to sleep as needed; however, he should be awakened every two hours for the first 24 hours after injury to help watch for deteriorating brain condition. A concussion victim who experiences extreme, debilitating fatigue, or who becomes difficult or impossible to awaken, needs immediate medical attention.
