What is concussion?

Concussion is a type of brain injury. It's usually caused by a knock to the head, face or neck.

Concussion causes short-term changes to your neurological function (how your brain works).

Most adults who have concussion will get better on their own within 2 weeks.

In the past, concussion was seen as a mild injury that healed quickly. However, we now know that concussions are serious.

It's important to rest after a concussion.

What symptoms are related to concussion?

The most obvious symptoms of concussion are:

• confusion
• memory problems
• seizures or jerky movements
• balance problems or being unsteady on your feet

Concussion does not usually cause you to become unconscious.

Other more subtle signs of concussion are:

• headache or 'pressure in the head'
• neck pain
• nausea or vomiting
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• difficulty concentrating
• sensitivity to noise or light

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What causes concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that happens when your brain is shaken inside your skull. Concussion can also result from a sudden change in motion.

Concussion can be caused by many things, such as:

• sports injuries
• falls
• car accidents
• violence — including domestic violence

Concussion is a common sporting injury, especially in contact sports such as:

• Australian Rules Football
• boxing
• rugby league and rugby union
• soccer
• touch football

How is concussion diagnosed?

There is no single test to diagnose concussion.

Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. If your doctor thinks you have concussion, they will ask about the event that caused the head injury.

If it's a sporting injury, you may have a video of the event. Show this to your doctor, since it can help them understand exactly what happened.

Your doctor may refer you for imaging tests such as:

• a CT scan of your head.
• an MRI scan

If you have signs of very bad injury, your doctor may refer you to the local hospital emergency department.

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When should I see my doctor?

If someone is confused or unconscious after an injury to the head, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

It's important to see a doctor if you think that you have a concussion. It's a good idea to have someone with you in case you have further symptoms.

When to seek urgent care

You should go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you have any of the following signs:

• neck pain or tenderness
• seizures
• double vision
• loss of consciousness
• weakness or tingling in your arms or legs
• deteriorating conscious state (becoming less awake and aware)
• vomiting
• bad headache
• increasingly restless, agitated or combative
• your skull is a different shape

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How is concussion treated?

Your treatment will depend on how severe your concussion is.

Self-care at home

Most people can get better safely at home. It's important to rest for the first 24 to 48 hours. This gives your brain a chance to heal.

It's suggested that you:

• don't drive
• don't drink alcohol
• limit screen time
• take time off work or study
• do gentle exercise — like walking

Your doctor may suggest that you don't take medicines such as:

• aspirin
• anti-inflammatories — such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• sleeping pills
• sedating pain-relief medicines

Recovery is different for everyone. Ask your doctor when you can go back to school or work and reintroduce more vigorous exercise.

Only resume contact sports 14 days after all your symptoms have gone.

If your symptoms get worse in the first few weeks of recovery, or you are concerned, see your doctor.

Can concussion be prevented?

Head injuries can't always be prevented, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk. These include:

• wearing a seatbelt when driving or in a vehicle
• exercising to strengthen your leg and core muscles
• keeping your floors free of trip hazards

If you play sports:

• follow the rules of your sport
• wear a helmet — this can prevent more serious brain injuries

Complications of concussion?

Most people recover fully within 2 weeks, although children usually take longer to recover.

A small number of people will get 'persistent post-concussive syndrome'. This is when concussion symptoms continue for weeks or months after the event. This happens in up to 5 out of 10 cases of concussion.

If you get a second concussion before recovering from the first, it can cause a condition called 'second impact syndrome'. This can be life-threatening.

In some people, concussion can trigger post-traumatic epilepsy.

There is growing evidence that repeated sub-concussion (concussions that don't cause symptoms) can cause:

• chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) — a degenerative brain disease that is linked to repeated head injuries
• cognitive impairment — which causes problems with memory, attention, and executive function
• mood disorders — such as depression and anxiety

If you are concerned about ongoing symptoms of concussion, see you doctor.

Resources and support

For information on returning to sport, visit the Concussion in Sport website.

You can also use the HeadCheck app to help you recognise the signs of concussion in children and adolescents. This app was developed by Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

The Royal Children's Hospital has information on head injuries and returning to school and sport in English and other languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.