Concussion Awareness: Recognizing the Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury

As fall sports seasons launch and autumn outdoor activities begin, community physical activity rises significantly. While sports and outdoor recreation offer substantial health benefits, they also increase the risk of head injuries. September marks National Concussion Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to understand how concussions impact the brain and how to manage recovery safely.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement causes the brain to bounce or twist inside the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and stretching or damaging brain cells.

While concussions are frequently associated with contact sports like football or soccer, they commonly result from everyday falls, bicycle accidents, or motor vehicle collisions.

Subtle Symptoms: What to Watch For

Concussions do not always involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, most concussions occur without the person ever passing out. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop hours to days after the initial injury.

Physical Symptoms

• Persistent headaches or neck pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, balance issues, or spatial disorientation
• Sensitivity to light and noise

Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms

• Brain fog, confusion, or feeling mentally slow
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering new information
• Irritability, sadness, or unusual mood shifts
• Sleep disturbances, such as sleeping much more or less than usual

The Danger of "Playing Through" a Head Injury

Ignoring concussion symptoms and returning to normal activities too quickly carries serious risks. Engaging in physical activity before the brain fully heals exposes individuals to Second Impact Syndrome, a rare but severe condition where a second head injury causes rapid brain swelling.

Cognitive strain, such as taking school exams or spending prolonged periods looking at screens, can also delay neurological recovery and worsen symptoms.

Steps for Safe Recovery

First 24–48 hours

• Cut back on activity: no sports, workouts, heavy lifting, or anything with a risk of another head hit.
• Limit screens (phone, TV, computer) and other intense stimulation like loud noise and bright light.
• Keep tasks short and low effort. Take breaks whenever symptoms start to build.
• Sleep as much as needed at night, and nap if tired. Try to keep a regular sleep schedule
• Do not stay in a dark, quiet room doing nothing for days. Complete "cocooning" and total rest until all symptoms disappear are no longer recommended — they can actually slow recovery.
• Light walking during this period is fine and encouraged, as long as it does not clearly worsen symptoms.
• Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, and driving until symptoms have improved and cleared by a clinician.

Fluids and nutrition

• Increase fluid intake, aiming for roughly double the usual amount of water
• Eat regular meals; skipping meals often makes headaches worse.
• After 48 hours: slow, stepwise return to activities

The goal is to add activity back gradually without triggering more than mild symptoms.

1. Start with light activities at home — short walks, light chores, brief reading or screen use.
2. Add school or work in a reduced form: shorter days, lighter workload, frequent breaks, extra time for tasks, less screen time.
3. Add light exercise (walking, stationary bike) at an easy pace, then more vigorous non-contact exercise.

How to know if the pace is right

• Stay at each step for at least 24 hours before moving to the next one.
• A small, brief increase in symptoms is okay — up to about 2 points worse on a 0–10 scale, settling within an hour
• If symptoms get worse than that or last longer than an hour, stop, rest until back to baseline, then resume at the previous, easier step
• Symptom flare-ups with activity are common and do not mean the brain is being re-injured
• Build in planned rest breaks throughout the day, before symptoms peak, rather than pushing through.

Protect Your Brain: Schedule an Evaluation

If you or a family member recently experienced a head injury or suspect lingering concussion symptoms, do not navigate recovery alone. Our neurology team is here to provide comprehensive cognitive assessments and personalized return-to-activity care plans. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and ensure a safe, full recovery.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.