Symptoms of concussion

Written by Li Pei
Neurosurgery
Updated on April 20, 2025
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Concussion is the mildest form of traumatic brain injury. The symptoms of concussion primarily include: first, a brief period of clouded consciousness shortly after the injury, typically lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, generally not exceeding half an hour; second, retrograde amnesia, where the patient cannot clearly recall the events during the injury, but memory of events prior to the injury remains clear; third, common symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, poor sleep, and decreased memory; fourth, the patient's cranial examination reveals no significant abnormalities, and lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid color and tests are normal.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol with a concussion?

Patients with concussions typically experience transient disturbances of consciousness after injury, such as coma, along with recent memory loss. Some also suffer from various degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, and other clinical symptoms. The diet for concussion patients should be light and easy to digest, avoiding spicy foods and other strong irritants, as well as avoiding alcohol, since alcohol can aggravate symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. Therefore, patients with concussions should not drink alcohol.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Symptoms of mild concussion

A mild concussion primarily refers to a patient experiencing a brief loss of consciousness, generally lasting a few seconds to several minutes. Another symptom that can occur is retrograde amnesia, where the patient is unable to recall details of the incident that caused the injury. Some patients may also experience a drop in blood pressure and appear pale. Additionally, patients may suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, tinnitus, decreased memory, and lack of concentration, among other clinical manifestations. Mild concussions typically recover after five to seven days of rest, or symptomatic treatment, with most patients regaining their health.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How to administer first aid for a concussion

After a concussion occurs, the injured should be quickly moved from a dangerous environment to a safe area. The injured person should lie flat and rest quietly without sitting up or standing. The head can be appropriately cooled, and it is important to keep the body warm. For patients who are unconscious, it is necessary to keep the airway clear and closely observe their consciousness and pupils. If there are airway secretions or vomiting, they should be cleaned up promptly. If the patient has already experienced respiratory or circulatory problems, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed. After the aforementioned emergency treatment, the next step is to transport the patient to a nearby well-equipped hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What to check for a concussion?

A head CT scan for concussion usually does not show organic changes, as it primarily stems from temporary dysfunction of brain neurological functions. The main symptoms include brief disturbances in consciousness, retrograde amnesia, and some patients may also experience a series of clinical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. For patients with concussion, what we need to do is a head CT scan or an MRI of the head to rule out organic brain lesions. The second option is to examine the cerebrospinal fluid. The third option is to conduct an electroencephalogram (EEG) test.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Is a concussion dangerous?

Concussion is not a severe brain injury and there is no need for excessive worry; symptomatic supportive treatment is usually sufficient. Typically, rest is advised, along with a light diet, regular living habits, and abstaining from smoking and alcohol. If necessary, treatment may include neuro-nutritive medications and drugs to improve microcirculation. Generally, symptoms should subside within one to two weeks. It is important to note that concussions occur after head trauma, and there is a certain likelihood of re-bleeding within the first three days following the trauma. After three days, the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage becomes very very low. Therefore, post-concussion there is still some risk, and it is necessary to closely monitor any changes in the condition, potentially requiring hospitalization for observation and treatment.