What Will the ER Do to Treat a Concussion?

Researchers estimate that there are about 3.8 million concussions every year in the U.S. While most people associate concussions with sports-related activities, they can also happen from falls, hitting your head underneath a table or cabinet or being struck by a heavy object falling from a shelf.

No matter how your concussion happens, it’s important to remember that any concussion should be treated like an emergency. While you may not always notice any signs right away, any head injury can damage the brain, potentially impacting your cognition and memory permanently and even increasing your risk for a second concussion.

Keep reading to learn more about how concussions happen, their symptoms, normal concussion treatment and what an ER team can do for you if you have a concussion.

What Will the ER Do for a Concussion?

If you suspect you or a family member has a concussion, take them directly to the nearest emergency room or dial 911 if it's a life-threatening situation.

When you arrive, here’s what you can expect:

• You'll be asked to check in at the front desk to let the medical staff know your situation and what happened
• You’ll be seen by a triage nurse who may ask you some questions about your health and take your vitals, including heart rate and blood pressure
• When you are called to a room, your doctor will ask you some more questions about your suspected concussion, such as what happened and the symptoms you're currently experiencing
• Your doctor will conduct quick neurological and physical exams and cognitive tests that allow them to get a better gauge of whether you have a concussion and its severity
• You may be taken for imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to check your brain for bleeding or other signs of injury
• Your doctor will administer or prescribe pain medications as needed
• Depending on the severity of your concussion, you’ll be held at the hospital for observation for a few hours or admitted for up to a few days to monitor your situation

When you’re discharged, your doctor will provide you with recovery instructions and advise you to follow up with your primary care provider.

Understanding Concussions

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that happens when your head is hit very hard, causing your brain to move around in your skull, potentially damaging brain cells or even leading to chemical changes that can negatively impact how your brain works.

How Can You Get a Concussion?

Many people assume contact sports, like football, are the primary reason for concussions. Although sports are one common cause, there are actually several different ways a person can experience a concussion. In reality, any type of activity where there's a risk of falling or having something hit your head has a concussion risk.

Recreational activities that can lead to a concussion include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Cycling
• Diving/Swimming
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Horseback riding
• Lacrosse
• Martial arts
• Rugby
• Skateboarding
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Softball
• Soccer
• Wrestling

After sports, another major cause of concussions (especially among older adults) is falling. Falls can cause you to hit your head hard on the floor or on a stationary object. Falls can occur from:

• Falling off a ladder
• Falling out of bed
• Loss of balance
• Slipping on ice, in the shower or on a wet floor
• Tripping on a cord or other hazard

Other concussion causes include:

• Car accidents
• Head hit by a falling or moving object
• Physical violence

No matter which way you hit your head, it’s always important to take your condition seriously and look for concussion signs.

Types of Concussions

Concussions are generally diagnosed into three different categories using a medical tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale.

• If you have a mild concussion, you do not lose consciousness and experience very mild symptoms
• When you have a moderate concussion, you may have mild to moderate symptoms and lose consciousness for a very short amount of time
• With a severe concussion, you lose consciousness for more than 15 minutes and will experience severe symptoms

Several types of concussions are categorized by the symptoms they cause:

• Cognitive concussions impact your thinking and memory skills
• Emotional concussions lead to mental health and mood changes
• Migraine/headache concussions cause lasting headaches or migraine
• Ocular concussions affect your vision
• Physical or somatic concussions cause physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting and pain
• Vestibular concussions bring about balance issues and vertigo

Symptoms of a Concussion

Depending on the type and severity of your concussion, there are many different symptoms you may experience. Some of the most common signs of a concussion include:

• Balance problems
• Blurry vision
• Concentration issues
• Depression or anxiety
• Dizziness or lightheaded
• Drowsiness
• Headache or head pain
• Light sensitivity
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck pain
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Slurred speech
• Trouble sleeping

Not everyone will experience every symptom, but it’s important to know what signs to look for.

When to Go to the ER for a Concussion

Always go directly to your nearest emergency room for a concussion if you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Any amount of loss of consciousness
• Blood or fluid coming out of the nose or ears
• Blurry or double vision
• Confusion
• Extreme nausea or vomiting
• A headache that is very severe or worsens over time
• Inability to stay awake
• Numbness in an area of the body
• One eye pupil is larger than the other
• Seizures
• Speaking issues
• Stiff neck
• Uncontrollable crying in young children
• Walking or balance problems

Even mild concussions cause brain damage and, if left untreated, can lead to serious health effects and negatively impact your brain function, so it’s important to seek treatment right away.

Discharge and Recovery Instructions

If you visit the ER for a concussion and are discharged the same day, your health care provider will send you home with some instructions to follow that will help loved ones monitor your condition and keep your symptoms from worsening.

Typical concussion discharge and recovery instructions include:

• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
• Don't take over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor
• Get as much rest and sleep as possible
• Have an adult stay with you for the first 12 to 24 hours after your concussion to monitor for any new or worsening symptoms
• Limit your screen time to keep intense lights from bothering you
• No driving yourself (have someone drive you home from the ER)
• Stay hydrated, even if you’re nauseated

Your doctor will also advise you to not participate in any strenuous activities, such as sports, working out or lifting anything heavy, for at least 48 hours.

You should also be medically cleared by your doctor before returning to work or driving.

Concussion Complications

A concussion impacts your brain health, so it’s very important to follow your doctor’s recovery instructions. Allowing yourself time to recover fully can help lower your chances of developing any long-term complications.

One such potential complication is post-concussion syndrome, where many of the same symptoms you had from your concussion do not go away, such as:

• Anxiety or depression
• Chronic headaches
• Concentration issues
• Constant dizziness or vertigo
• Impaired vision
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Memory loss
• Nausea
• Problems learning new things

Other possible complications can include:

• Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia
• Anxiety
• Chronic insomnia
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to repeated concussions
• Depression
• Inability to exercise or be active
• Parkinson's disease
• Personality changes
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures
• Stroke

After a concussion, your focus should be solely on healing and communicating any potential concerns to your doctor.

Preventing Future Concussions

There's no denying that concussions, no matter how mild, are serious and can cause major health concerns. The good news is that with a little caution, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

When playing any type of sport or engaging in physical activity:

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet
• Choose playgrounds with a soft surface on the bottom, rather than a hard surface like concrete
• Do some exercises to strengthen your neck muscles
• Follow all safety rules when playing any kind of sport
• Pick recreational activities with a limited possibility of a head injury or concussion

And when at home, in the office or just walking down the street:

• Fit showers and bathtubs with grab bars
• Install childproof safety items like gates for stairs and window guards
• Keep an eye out for tripping hazards, like electrical cords, curbs or rocks in your path
• Make sure there's good lighting anywhere you walk, either inside or outside
• Place a railing for stairs and any other area that may cause a fall
• Practice proper car safety, such as always wearing a seat belt and using properly-sized car seats for kids
• Use nonslip mats under bathroom mats and throw rugs

Implementing these simple safety tips minimizes your concussion risk.

Recover Safely With Expert ER Care at AdventHealth

If you suspect you may have a concussion, seek immediate medical attention. Our ER experts are available 24/7 to provide you and your loved ones with trusted care. Find your nearest AdventHealth emergency room to help you be prepared for any emergency.