Symptoms of concussion can vary as much as each individual. Because concussion isn’t a physical injury, but instead injury on the cellular level, symptoms are not purely physical, either. Those with even mild concussions commonly report mental and emotional symptoms, too.
Symptoms usually fall into one of four categories, and can appear immediately following the head injury, or not until days or weeks afterward. It’s important to be patient with yourself and remember that you are healing, even though you can’t see your injury. 
Mental
It’s not uncommon to experience mental fog or a feeling of being slowed down mentally following head trauma. Patients may have difficulty remembering new information or experience a “hole” of memory surrounding the injury. It may also be hard to concentrate.
Emotional
Emotional symptoms may come as a surprise following concussion. They include feelings of sadness, depression, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, or simply feeling more emotional than usual. Knowing ways to calm down, such as deep-breathing techniques, can help when you experience these intense feelings.
Sleep
Experiencing concussion can impact your sleep. This can manifest as sleeping more or less than usual, as well as trouble falling asleep. Keep your sleep patterns regular when possible and to avoid screens an hour or two before bed to help yourself settle down for sleep.
Physical
Finally, there are many physical symptoms of concussion that you may experience. Headache, blurry vision, dizziness, nausea, balance problems, fatigue, and sensitivity to noise or light.
Danger Signs
Some symptoms should not be managed on your own and are indications that you are experiencing a life-threatening complication of concussion. These include:
- Headache that gets progressively worse
- Slurred speech
- Repeated nausea or vomiting
- Weakness or numbness
- Cannot wake up
- Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
- Have convulsions or seizures
- Cannot recognize people or places
- Are getting more and more confused, restless, or agitated
- Have unusual behavior
- Lose consciousness
There is also no objective way to diagnose concussion, which means any time you receive a serious blow to the head it’s smart to get checked out by a medical professional as soon after as possible.
In order to provide the best concussion care, we need to see patients within 24 hours of an accident if possible. Elevate Health Clinics has locations in Dallas and Colleyville for your convenience, as well a trusted network of providers to help you get the care you need. From chiropractors, orthopedics, and pain management specialists, to finding an attorney to help bring your accident claim, we can help you get all your accident needs managed so that you can focus on what’s most important: your recovery. Make an appointment today by calling 855-435-3828, or email us at [email protected].