Concussion FAQ

There are many symptoms of a concussion. These symptoms can either be physical, cognitive, or emotional. Some common symptoms often reported include:

• Headache
• “Pressure in the head”
• Neck pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling slowed down
• Feeling like “in a fog”
• Don’t feel right
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Fatigue or low energy
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Trouble falling asleep
• More emotional
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Nervous or anxious

The length of recovery will differ among individuals. Many factors can influence the course of recovery from a concussion, including the severity, previous history of concussions, physical injury, and personal history. The majority of concussion related symptoms resolve in days or weeks, however, symptoms may persist for months. Athletes may take longer to recover if they are younger (children and adolescents), have a history of previous concussions, are experiencing a high symptom load (many symptoms with a greater severity), or if the athlete has a history of migraines, ADHD, learning disabilities, or mental disorders. Even if symptoms resolve quickly, an athlete should progress through a proper gradual return-to-play protocol to prevent premature return to sport.

Yes. Typically, if an athlete has a history of concussions, they are at a higher risk to sustain another concussion. Especially, that they have not yet recovered fully from the previous incident. When recovering from a concussion, the brain is in a state of metabolic dysfunction. This means that it is more vulnerable and a relatively minor blow to the head can result in more severe and irreversible changes to brain function. If the brain is weak and yet to recover, it is less able to withstand another trauma. Just like an ankle sprain that has not fully healed, return to play too soon puts the athlete at risk to sustain more damage. This is why concussions are thought to be cumulative, with progressively less force required to cause brain injury.

Concussions can be difficult to recognize. Symptoms may vary from person to person. If there is any suspicion of a concussion, treat it like a concussion. This means there should be no return to sport on the same day of the injury. Even if they are playing a great game or are competing in the championship.

Parents, coaches, and trainers should be aware of the symptoms of a concussion. A useful tool to quickly evaluate an athlete if a concussive episode may have occurred is the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool. It can give you an idea if the athlete may have sustained a concussion. However, it is not designed to take the place of a more comprehensive examination by a trained medical professional.

To assist with the recovery process of a concussion, consult a medical professional. This may include a sport physician or physiotherapists trained in concussion management. For more information on what an athlete should do once they have sustained a concussion, visit our Post-Concussion Management page.