Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury)

A concussion can happen suddenly, during sports, a fall or any impact to the head. While most people recover well, a concussion is a type of brain injury and should always be taken seriously, since even mild cases can affect how you think, feel and move for a short time. With expert care, you or your child can recover safely and return to normal activity with confidence.

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Medical illustration of the brain with a highlighted area of neurological pain or injury.

Anatomy of the head and brain

Your brain floats in fluid inside your skull, which helps protect it from most everyday bumps and movements. A sudden blow, jolt or rapid movement of the head can cause the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, pushing against its inner surface.

This motion can stretch or irritate brain cells and temporarily disrupt normal signaling in the brain. That disruption is what causes a concussion. Unlike other injuries, concussions often don't show up on X-rays or CT scans, so providers rely on symptoms and clinical evaluation to make a diagnosis.

Overview

Symptoms

Concussion symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours to days, and they vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Dizziness or balance problems
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Confusion, difficulty concentrating or memory issues
Feeling foggy, slowed down or dazed
Fatigue or changes in sleep
Mood changes such as irritability, sadness or anxiety

Children may have trouble describing how they feel. Parents should watch for unusual sleepiness, prolonged crying, clumsiness or a lack of interest in favorite activities. Symptoms often improve gradually, but they can take longer to resolve if the brain isn't given enough time to rest and heal.

Causes

A concussion occurs when a sudden blow, jolt or rapid movement causes the brain to move inside the skull. Common situations that cause concussions include:

Sports collisions or falls during play
Vehicle accidents or sudden stops
Accidental impacts, such as bumps or trips
Any direct hit to the head, neck or face

Concussions can happen to anyone, at any age, during everyday activities as well as athletic competition.

Risk factors

Certain factors may make a concussion more likely, though having one or more of these does not mean an injury will occur:

Participating in contact or collision sports
A history of previous concussions
Not wearing proper protective gear during sports or biking
Returning to activity before a previous concussion has fully healed

Knowing your risk factors can help you and your care team take steps to protect your brain health.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a concussion starts with a review of your medical history and the details of how the injury happened. Your provider will also perform a neurological exam to check your balance, coordination, reflexes and thinking skills, along with standardized concussion assessment tools designed to measure changes in brain function.

Imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, may be used if a more serious brain injury is suspected, though most concussions do not appear on these scans. Your care team will clearly explain your results, your expected recovery timeline and the steps you can take to protect your brain while healing.

A medical illustration of a patient receiving an MRI.

What to expect during an MRI

Get a clear look at what an MRI is like, from how to prepare and what the machine looks and sounds like, to what to expect during and after your scan.

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