Signs of a Concussion

1. Physical

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Vision changes
  • Dizziness or difficulty with balance
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

2. Emotional

  • Extreme highs and lows
  • New irritability, moodiness, or anxiety
  • Nervousness

3. Sleep

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Fatigue

4. Mental

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Problems remembering
  • Feeling foggy

Know the Red Flags

Seek emergency care if someone is having:

  • Neck pain or tenderness
  • Seizure or convulsion
  • Double vision
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Weakness or tingling/burning in more than 1 arm or in the legs
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Vomiting Severe or increasing headache Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
  • GCS <15
  • Visible deformity of the skull

When in Doubt, Sit them Out

If you think a player has a concussion, remove them from play right away. Have a licensed medical professional examine them before allowing them to return to play.

If someone is showing signs of a concussion, getting them evaluated by a licensed medical professional is important. Symptoms may not appear right away, and can worsen over time.

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