Head injuries can be deceptive. While movies and TV shows often portray concussions as dramatic events with immediate, obvious symptoms, the reality is often more nuanced. Many people experience concussions without realizing it, especially when symptoms are subtle or delayed.
Understanding the signs of a concussion—even when they’re not immediately apparent—is crucial for you or your loved one’s health and safety. We’ll help you recognize the warning signs that might indicate you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, even when it doesn’t seem obvious at first.
Risk factors for concussion
A concussion occurs when the brain moves rapidly back and forth inside the skull, typically due to a blow to the head or a sudden jolt to the body. However, you can have a concussion without hitting your head directly. The brain can be injured from sudden acceleration or deceleration forces, such as those experienced during whiplash in car accidents.
We all think about football players and other athletes in contact sports as prime recipients of concussions, but they can happen to anyone. Risk factors beyond high-intensity sports include:
- Falls represent one of the most common causes of concussions, particularly among older adults and young children. A slip on ice, a tumble down the stairs, or even a minor fall while walking can generate enough force to cause a mild traumatic brain injury.
- Car accidents can create the right conditions for concussions, even in seemingly minor collisions. Sudden stopping or starting can whip the head back and forth, causing the brain to bounce against the skull. Passengers and drivers alike can sustain concussions without direct head impact.
- Sports injury risks extend beyond the well-known football and hockey blows. Soccer players frequently experience concussions from heading balls or colliding with other players. In addition, basketball, baseball, and even recreational activities like cycling or skateboarding carry concussion risks.
- Workplace incidents can also lead to unrecognized brain injuries. Construction workers, warehouse employees, and anyone working in environments with overhead hazards face increased risks.
Children and teenagers are particularly susceptible to concussions without knowing it. Their developing brains are more vulnerable to injury, and they may not recognize or be able to communicate symptoms effectively. Additionally, children often “bounce back” in their behavior quickly, making parents less likely to suspect a serious problem.
Older adults also face higher risks due to age-related changes in balance and potential side effects of certain medications. They may also attribute symptoms to normal aging rather than recognizing them as signs of brain injury.
In some cases, you may not be in a position to require a loved one to seek medical care for concerning symptoms. In those moments, support and gentle reminders that things they may be experiencing aren’t normal can go a long way.
Subtle concussion symptoms
Not everyone has the same symptoms after a head injury and/or mild concussion. If you or a loved one, especially a child, has experienced a head injury without obvious changes in behavior or sensation, there are more subtle signs about their overall health to watch out for.
Cognitive changes
- Forgetfulness often appears as difficulty remembering recent events, conversations, or tasks. A person affected by a concussion may also repeatedly ask the same questions or forget appointments they normally wouldn’t miss.
- Confusion can manifest as difficulty following conversations, trouble understanding simple instructions, or feeling “foggy” about your surroundings.
- Delayed responses to questions or events may seem like daydreaming or lack of attention, but they can also indicate brain-processing difficulties following an injury.
Physical symptoms
- Sleep disturbances frequently accompany concussions. You might experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling refreshed after sleep. Some people sleep much more than usual, while others develop insomnia.
- Sensitivity to light and sound can make normal environments uncomfortable. Fluorescent lights or sunlight might seem too bright, or everyday sounds might feel overwhelming or painful.
- Balance problems or dizziness can be subtle, appearing as occasional unsteadiness or feeling slightly “off” when walking or standing.
Emotional and behavioral changes
- Irritability or mood swings that seem out of character can indicate brain injury. Family members often notice these changes before the injured person does.
- Increased emotional sensitivity might manifest as crying more easily, feeling overwhelmed by minor stresses, or having difficulty controlling emotions.
- Changes in personality or behavior patterns, even subtle ones, warrant attention if they occur after a potential head injury.
Symptoms attributed to other issues
Finally, there are a range of “normal” sensations or behaviors that could also be explained by other factors, leading people to continue ignoring complications from a head injury. These might include:
- Mild nausea that comes and goes, easily attributed to hunger or stress.
- Slight changes in taste or smell that might be dismissed as a cold or allergies.
- Feeling “different” without being able to pinpoint specific symptoms.
- Decreased performance at work or school that might be attributed to fatigue or social circumstances.
- Social withdrawal or loss of interest in activities that might seem like temporary mood changes.
Treating a concussion
When you think you or a loved one has experienced a concussion, the best thing to do is to get an evaluation by a medical professional in an urgent care or emergency room.
Once treated, a physical therapist can help mitigate any changes to balance, hand-eye coordination, dizziness, or other symptoms.
- Initial management: Immediately stop physical activities and commit to both physical and cognitive rest for the first 24-48 hours, while seeking advice or care from a concussion specialist.
- Symptom monitoring: Because concussions sometimes have delayed symptoms, pay close attention to yourself or your loved one and report any changes or new symptoms to your medical provider.
- Activity modification: Follow your Physical Therapist’s guidelines for rehabilitating after a concussion, including when to return to full normal activities.
The role of physical therapy in concussion recovery
Physical therapy plays an increasingly important role in concussion recovery as experts learn more about what helps the body heal after TBIs. Skilled Physical Therapists can address various post-concussion symptoms through targeted treatments, such as:
- Balance training to help restore stability and coordination that may be affected by brain injury.
- Vision therapy to address visual processing problems that can develop after concussions.
- Cervical spine treatment to treat neck injuries that often accompany concussions and can contribute to headaches and dizziness.
- Gradual exercise progression to help patients safely return to physical activities while monitoring for symptom recurrence.
Concussion recovery plans at a SOL clinic near you
Recognizing that you can have a concussion without obvious symptoms is the first step toward better brain health. Trust your instincts if something feels “off” after a head injury or sudden jolt to your body. Our team at SOL is here for your post-concussion rehabilitation needs, from balance and vestibular training to re-conditioning high-performance athletes. Learn more about how we can help you or your loved one recover well by calling one of our clinics or by requesting an appointment online today.