How to Tell If You Have a Concussion
Sometimes a bump on the head is just a bump on the head. But if you hit your head hard enough, you could have a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) known as a concussion. Symptoms you experience can clue you into whether or not you need professional medical care. And imaging options available at American Health Imaging (AHI) can provide you with a definitive diagnosis so you can take the right steps to safely recover.
Concussion Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
If you are wondering how to tell if you have a concussion or if someone you are with has the injury, the following symptoms could offer clues:
Specifically, if you notice the following signs in someone else, take them to a medical professional for an examination:
- Confusion and forgetfulness
- Inability to recall events that happened before or after a blow to the head
- Loss of consciousness
- Seems dazed or stunned
- Slow to answer questions
- Uncharacteristic changes in behavior, mood or personality
- Unusual clumsiness
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, have someone take you to a medical professional:
- Behavioral changes
- Blurry vision
- Confusion or forgetfulness
- Dizziness
- Feeling groggy or sluggish
- Headache or sensation of pressure in the head
- Nausea
- Problems with balance
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Vomiting
Signs and symptoms of a concussion can begin to appear immediately after trauma to the head or within a few days, so be vigilant about looking for symptoms of a concussion. If you notice any new or worsening symptoms, visit the emergency room right away.
Making the Diagnosis
To determine whether you have a concussion, a medical provider will begin by asking you questions about your injury, where you are experiencing pain and what kind of symptoms you have noticed. In some instances, your provider may order imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI.
If your healthcare provider suspects that your head injury may have caused bleeding on the brain or a skull fracture, a CT scan or MRI for concussion can help reveal more information about needed treatment. Dedicated imaging facilities like AHI are equipped with the newest and best equipment and can provide you with the tests you need at rates you can afford.