Concussion Care: Signs & Symptoms to Watch

November 1, 2022

When you experience a blow to the head, knowing whether you've suffered a concussion isn't always clear cut.

Henry Ford Health SystemHead injuries have a range of physical, psychological and intellectual effects — and only a small number of people lose consciousness.

"It's critical for parents, coaches, players and trainers to recognize the potential signs and symptoms of a concussion," says Jeffrey Kutcher, M.D., a sports neurologist who treats athletes at the Henry Ford Kutcher Clinic for Concussion and Sports Neurology. "The basic rule is that a concussion can affect any aspect of brain function."

Signs of Concussion

The Latin root of the word "concussion" means "to shake violently" — which makes sense. Concussions happen when there's a combination of movement and impact. So, any injury that involves a hit to the head — a fall, collision or hard hit by a heavy object — could cause one. So could a hit to the body that causes the head to move quickly.

"But every brain injury is different," Dr. Kutcher says. "Some symptoms show up right away while others develop gradually over days."

Here are common concussion symptoms to watch for — both immediately following a head injury and in the hours and days after:

Physical Concussion Symptoms

  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Light sensitivity
  • Nausea
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Visual problems
  • Vomiting

Emotional Concussion Symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings

Cognitive Concussion Symptoms

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling "slow" or "foggy"
  • Memory problems

Diagnosing Concussion: Getting It Right

One reason concussions are frequently misdiagnosed is because they're assessed on the field or courtside during game play or practice. Coaches, trainers and parents often make lightning fast decisions about whether symptoms, such as headache, nausea and light sensitivity, are signs of concussion.

"Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than completing a concussion checklist. Everyone — and every concussion — is different. So, observers shouldn’t be diagnosing a head injury on the spot, but rather making a triage decision for safety. They should leave the diagnosis to the medical professionals," Dr. Kutcher says. In fact, those in-the-moment assessments are wrong about half of the time.

People should focus instead on getting immediate, emergency care for anyone who displays the following signs and symptoms right after a hit:

  • Difficulty walking
  • Weakness on one or both sides
  • Not waking up
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Persistent confusion
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

No matter how hard (or lightly) you think you've been hit, it's important to take head injury symptoms seriously. Even a seemingly minor blow could have a major impact. A complete evaluation by a medical professional will not only determine whether you have a concussion, it can also identify more serious, or even life-threatening, concerns.

"In every case, medical professionals are better equipped to assess the extent of the damage if you have a comprehensive baseline evaluation on file," Dr. Kutcher says. This thorough evaluation with a sports neurologist, including a complete family and neurological history, can act as a critical point of reference when trainers and medical professionals are trying to diagnose or manage a concussion.

Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher is a sports neurologist and the medical director of the Henry Ford Kutcher Clinic for Concussion and Sports Neurology.

Want to learn more? Henry Ford Health System sports medicine experts are treating the whole athlete, in a whole new way. From nutrition to neurology, and from injury prevention to treatment of sports-related conditions, they can give your athlete a unique game plan.

Visit henryford.com/sports or call (313) 972-4216 for an appointment within 24 business hours.

Summer Is Peak Time For Outdoor Sports Injuries

June 6, 2023

Summertime is the ideal time for outdoor activities like boating, swimming, barbecues and picnicking. It’s also ripe for sports injuries, says Nancy White, M.D., a Henry Ford Health sports medicine physician.

Henry Ford Health“We encourage people of all ages to get outside and take advantage of all the activities available during the summer. It’s very important, though, that people keep safety top of mind to reduce their risk of injury,” Dr. White says.

Dr. White counts these as the five most common injuries:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Fractures
  • Trampoline injuries
  • Bike injuries
  • Overuse injuries

“Trampoline injuries are mostly caused by jumping, either by an awkward landing or colliding with someone,” Dr. White says. “Overuse injuries happen when someone overextends themselves in a particular activity, whether it’s attending multiple sports camps or simply exercising outdoors.”

Dr. White recommends these three tips for reducing your risk of injury:

  • Stay hydrated. Replenish your fluid intake with frequent water breaks.
  • Perform warm-up exercises before your run or your game.
  • Wear protective gear. Whether bike riding, rollerblading or skateboarding, a helmet and protective pads are a must. Obey traffic laws and store your phone away.

For soft-tissue injuries strains and sprains, Dr. White says the R.I.C.E. method is an immediate at-home treatment you can apply to reduce swelling and pain. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), can help too.

If the pain worsens to the point that it interferes with your usual activities or sleep, make an appointment with your doctor or a sports medicine doctor.

Seek medical attention immediately if your pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact, you suspect a broken bone, or if the injury is accompanied by:

  • Significant swelling
  • Redness
  • Tenderness and warmth around the joint
  • Significant pain
  • Fever

For injuries that don’t improve and require medical attention, visit henryford.com/sports and request an appointment with a Henry Ford sports medicine doctor. 

Dr. Nancy White is a sports medicine doctor seeing patients at Henry Ford Medical Center-Columbus in Novi and at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine in midtown Detroit.