Symptoms of Concussion

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on May 02, 2025
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Concussion is generally characterized by a clear history of head trauma, with transient consciousness disorders following the injury, usually lasting less than 30 minutes. It is often seen in falls from heights, car accidents, or injuries caused by accidental hits from others. After regaining consciousness, patients with concussions may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may have difficulty recalling the incident clearly, which is clinically referred to as retrograde amnesia. When these symptoms appear, a concussion is likely, and the patient should be immediately hospitalized for treatment; a head CT or MRI should be performed to help rule out the possibility of other intracranial organic diseases.

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Mild concussion sequelae

Mild concussions generally do not have any lasting effects. After a mild concussion, as long as one rests well, maintains a good mindset, and uses medication when necessary, along with symptomatic supportive treatment, the vast majority of people can fully recover within one to two weeks without any lasting effects. Only a few people, due to psychological and mental factors, may continue to experience symptoms that are difficult to improve for more than three months. In these cases, we consider these to be the after-effects of mild concussion, which mainly manifest as headaches, dizziness, dry heaving, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration, memory decline, slow reactions, irritability, and a bad temper, among others.

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How to alleviate a mild concussion

Mild concussion usually leads to retrograde amnesia and transient consciousness disturbances in patients after the injury. Patients may also experience headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite, decline in memory, and lack of concentration. To alleviate mild concussion, it is important to first ensure that the patient gets adequate rest, avoids staying up late, and maintains a quiet environment. Secondly, it is essential to pay attention to the patient's nutritional needs, adopting a light and easily digestible diet. Thirdly, symptomatic medical treatment should be considered, especially if the patient suffers severely from headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, or insomnia. In such cases, analgesic and hypnotic medications can be used to relieve symptoms.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
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What to do if you feel dizzy from a concussion?

Patients with concussion often exhibit signs of transient consciousness disorders and recent memory loss after injury. Some patients may experience varying degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blindness, and other clinical symptoms. If a patient with concussion experiences dizziness, the first step is to rule out the possibility of intracranial organic lesions through examination of the head and body. Then, the patient should rest in bed in a quiet environment with dim lighting. Additionally, symptomatic treatment with medications, including some that expand cerebral blood vessels, can be administered.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

In clinical practice, we often see mild cases of concussion. After suffering from trauma, patients only show mild symptoms such as headache and dizziness, or may experience nausea. Some patients may not have any symptoms at all, and their recovery tends to be quick, often within two to three days, or even up to about 2 to 3 weeks to fully return to normal. However, for severe cases of concussion, symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting are more pronounced, and some patients may exhibit certain mental, psychological, and behavioral disorders. In these cases, hospitalization is usually required, and the recovery period can be quite lengthy, lasting for over a month, or even up to three months.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How to deal with vomiting from a concussion?

Concussion usually manifests as temporary consciousness disorder and immediate amnesia, meaning the inability to recall specific details at the time. Some patients also experience a series of clinical symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and memory decline. If a patient with a concussion vomits, the first step should be to conduct a head CT to rule out the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage. In addition, symptomatic treatment can be actively provided, with metoclopramide commonly used for intramuscular injection.