Concussion symptoms can be divided into 3 main categories: Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioural
Physical
-Headache (most common)
-Dizziness
-Nausea/vomiting/stomach pain
-Slurred speech
-Feeling “stunned” or “out of it”
-Blurred or double vision
-Fatigue
-“Glassy-eyed” appearance to others
-Ringing in ears
-Sensitivity to light and/or noise
-Lack of energy
-Temporary loss of consciousness (less than 10%)
Cognitive
-Decreased in regular level of coordination/balance
-Decreased reaction time, general playing ability
-Lack of focus and concentration
-Easily distracted
-Can result in difficulties at school
-Inability to orient themselves to place and time (confusion)
-Cannot say where they are or what is happening around them
-Amnesia or other disturbances to memory
-Difficulty remembering event immediately prior to and/or after the impact
Emotional/Behavioural
-Inappropriate or extreme reactions to a situation
e.g. laughing or crying at when not typically warranted
-Mood changes compared to a healthy state
e.g. increasingly irritable or frustrated
-Difficulty sleeping
-After initial drowsiness of concussion fades away
-Can develop into insomnia in the long term
-Feelings of sadness
-If persistent, can lead to depression
Click on the link below to watch a video from Parachute Canada:
This video clip was taken from ThinkFirst Canada’s “Smart Hockey Video.” Here, you can watch Neurosurgeon, Dr. Charles Tator explain the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
For more information about concussion management, visit http://www.parachutecanada.org/thinkfirstcanada
