Common signs of a concussion are headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, trouble concentrating and simply not feeling right after a hit to the head or body. It is an emergency if the person loses consciousness, has a seizure, vomits repeatedly, or has a headache or confusion that keeps getting worse: call 911.
You do not have to be knocked out, or even hit on the head, to have a concussion. A blow to the body that whips the head can be enough. Symptoms can appear right away or over the following hours.
Red flags: call 911 or go to emergency
- Loss of consciousness, or cannot be woken
- Seizure
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or worsening headache
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision
- Weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Slurred speech or trouble walking
- Increasing confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- Fluid or blood from the ears or nose
Common symptoms
- Physical: headache or pressure in the head, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, balance problems, ringing in the ears, fatigue, sensitivity to light or noise
- Thinking: feeling foggy or slowed down, confusion, trouble concentrating or remembering
- Emotional: irritability, sadness, nervousness or anxiety
- Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual, trouble falling asleep
What others may notice
- Lying still or slow to get up after a hit
- Blank or vacant look
- Stumbling or poor coordination
- Clutching the head
- Slow or confused answers to simple questions
What to do
- Stop playing right away. When in doubt, sit them out.
- Do not leave the person alone, and watch for red flags over the next few hours.
- Get assessed as soon as possible. In Ontario, a physician or nurse practitioner should assess a suspected concussion.
- Do not return to play the same day, even if symptoms seem to clear.
This page is general information and cannot tell you whether you have a concussion. Once emergencies have been ruled out, our concussion management service can help guide recovery.
Need help after a suspected concussion?