Concussion Signs and Symptoms
When a person is concussed, he is likely to have one or more of the following signs and symptoms*. However, the presence of some of these symptoms in isolation does not necessarily mean he has been concussed. For example, nausea may indicate a concussion, but it may also be a sign of an upset stomach or “butterflies.” If you have any concern that a player may have received a concussion, remove him from action and obtain a medical opinion as quickly as possible.
Common Symptoms
- Vacant stare/glassy eyed
- Delayed verbal and motor responses (slow to answer questions or follow instructions)
- Confusion and inability to focus attention (easily distracted and unable to follow through with normal activities)
- Disorientation (walking in the wrong direction; unaware of time, date and place)
- Slurred or Incoherent Speech (making disjointed or incomprehensible statements)
- Poor balance or coordination (stumbling, inability to walk tandem/straight line)
- Emotions out of proportion to circumstances (distraught, crying for no apparent reason)
- Memory deficits (exhibited by athlete repeatedly asking the same question which has already been answered, or inability to memorize and recall 3 words or objects)
- Loss of Consciousness (for any length of time)
Other Possible Symptoms
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Seeing stars
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Numbing/tingling
*Cantu, "Recurrent Athletic Head Injury: Risks and When to Retire," Clinical Sports Medicine (2003), 22(3):593-603.
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