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Concussion Signs and Symptoms

Self-reporting is critical

Evaluating and managing concussions starts with the recognition that the athlete has actually suffered a concussion.

A concussion is diagnosed when an athlete receives a direct or indirect blow to the head which causes him to experience post-concussion signs or symptoms, including but not limited to loss of consciousness (LOC) and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), either anterograde amnesia (reduced ability to form new memories) and/or retrograde amnesia (partial or total loss of ability to recall events occurring immediately prior to brain injury)(RGA).

If any of the following symptoms or problems is present, a head injury should be suspected and appropriate management, including monitoring for deterioration begun.

Symptom Time of Injury 2-3 hours post-injury 24 hours post-injury 48 hours post-injury 72 hours post-injury

Unaware of period, opposition, score of game

  N/A N/A N/A N/A

Amnesia

         

Confusion

         

Loss of Consciousness impaired conscious state

         

Headache

         

"Pressure in head"

         

Neck pain

         

Poor balance, coordination or unsteady gait or dizziness

         

Nausea

         

Feel "dinged", stunned or "dazed"

         

Feel "in a fog"

         

Feel "slowed down"

         

Concussive convulsion/impact seizures

         

Depression

         

Drowsiness

         

Excess Sleep

         

Fatigue or low energy

         

Inappropriate emotions (e.g. laughing or crying) or personality change/more emotional than usual

         

Inappropriate playing behavior (e.g. running the wrong direction)

         

Irritability or emotional changes

         

Loss of Orientation

         

Nervous or anxious

         

Numbness/tingling

         

Memory problems

         

Poor concentration, easily distracted

         

Hearing problems/ringing in ears

         

Sadness

         

Sensitivity to noise

         

Significantly decreased playing ability

         

Slow to answer questions or follow directions

         

Slurred speech

         

Trouble falling asleep/Sleep Disturbance

         

Sleeping more than usual

         

Vacant stare/glassy eyed

         

Vision problems (seeing stars or flashing lights, blurred/double vision, sensitivity to light)

         

Vomiting

         

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