5 Signs of a Sports-Related Concussion

Playing a sport is good for your physical and emotional health, helps build social connections, and teaches the importance of teamwork. Unfortunately, all of that intense physical activity increases risk of injuries. 

Concussions are a common sports injury, especially in high-impact sports like tackle football. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), but it’s not an injury to take lightly. 

Proper treatment and giving yourself an adequate amount of time to heal are essential for a full recovery. Going back on the field too soon and getting another concussion may lead to permanent brain damage.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland in Midland, Michigan, our team of urgent care specialists diagnose and treat concussions. To prevent delays in care, let’s review some common signs of a sports-related concussion.

1. Losing consciousness

A concussion is a mild brain injury that occurs when the brain moves forcefully in the skull, causing damage. Any sudden jolt or shaking of the body may lead to a concussion. 

After a high-impact tackle, a football player may remark about “their lights getting knocked out” or “seeing stars.” Loss of consciousness, even for fractions of a second, after a heavy hit is a clear sign of a concussion that requires immediate medical attention.

But you don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion, and it’s important to pay attention to other signs and symptoms. 

2.  Being dazed and confused

An athlete who appears dazed and confused after a fall to the ground may have a concussion. Confusion and disorientation are early signs of a head injury, and they may appear within minutes of the initial injury. 

However, these symptoms may also appear hours or days after the initial injury. An athlete with a sports-related concussion may have difficulty following instructions or forget where they need to be. 

Though the mild TBI doesn’t show any damage to the brain on imaging tests, it affects normal brain function. 

3. Experiencing headaches or dizziness

If an athlete complains of head pain or neck pain following an injury, they may have a concussion. The brain injury may also cause dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Blurry vision and sensitivity to light or noise are also signs of a concussion.

This brain injury also affects coordination, causing clumsiness. If your athlete is unsteady on their feet or bumping into everything, have them evaluated.

4. Feeling tired but not sleeping

The mild brain injury disrupts many functions, including the circadian rhythm, which is the clock that tells you when it’s time to sleep and wake up. Someone with a concussion may feel very tired but have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Or they may sleep more than usual.

5. Being more irritable, anxious, or sad

Changes in mood are a common delayed symptom of a concussion — they may show up several days after the initial injury. An athlete who suddenly and unexpectedly feels more anxious, depressed, or irritable may have a TBI. 

Get prompt, professional care for a concussion

We perform physical and neurological exams and do a concussion test to diagnose the mild TBI at our urgent care clinic. If you have a concussion, rest is the initial treatment, and you can slowly add in activity as tolerated. 

Most people recover in a few days, but it can take younger athletes longer to heal. Athletes shouldn’t return to their sport until they get the all-clear from their health care provider.

Did your teen get their lights knocked out at today’s football game? Are they feeling off? Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland can provide the urgent care they need. Call us today or book an appointment online so we can keep your athlete safe and healthy.