Concussion

What you’ll find on this page

• What happens to the brain after a concussion
• Facts about getting multiple concussions
• Links to information on concussion symptoms and getting better after a concussion

Concussions are brain injuries

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and are one of the most common types of brain injuries among children and adults.¹

A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.²

Changes in the brain after these injuries are linked to symptoms that may affect how a person thinks, learns, feels, and acts.³ Symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury. Learn more about concussion signs and symptoms.

Having multiple concussions may lead to more serious symptoms

There’s a greater risk of more serious and longer-lasting symptoms when a person has multiple or repeated concussions.^4-6 This is especially true when there’s not enough healing time between injuries. A person with a history of multiple concussions also may have:

• Ongoing problems with concentration, memory, headache, and emotions.^1,7
• Physical problems, such as keeping their balance and nausea.^1,7
• A greater risk for mental health problems and other chronic health conditions.^8-10

Getting medical care may help speed your recovery

Concussions should be taken seriously because they can produce changes in a person’s brain, body, and behavior.^{1, 7} If you or a loved one might have a concussion, it is important to get checked by a medical professional. Medical professionals have tests that can aid in assessing for concussion, and getting care from a medical professional can also help speed recovery. Learn more about finding a medical or health professional and concussion tests and treatments.

How to help yourself or your loved one feel better after a concussion and improve overall brain health

Most people with a concussion feel better within four weeks. ^3,7,11,12 However, some people have ongoing symptoms that affect their behavior, mood, memory, or emotions for months or longer.^13-15 These symptoms may not always be due only to the concussion. A thorough assessment by a medical professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions is important to help with treatment planning.

Concussion symptoms can make it hard to do regular activities at home, work, and school. Get tips on:

• Getting better after a concussion.
• How to safely return to driving, school, work, and physical activities and sports.

There are several ways to keep your brain healthy after a concussion.¹⁶ Medical professionals recommend:^16,17

• Getting a good night’s sleep.
• Monitoring your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Eating healthy foods and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Keeping active in physical and social activities.
• Getting regular check-ups with your medical professional, staying up to date on vaccines, and asking for mental health support when needed.
• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs or medicines not recommended or prescribed by a medical professional.

There are several ways to lower the risk of a concussion.

Falls, car crashes, and sports-related collisions (like getting tackled in football) are a few common causes of concussions. Learn effective ways to lower the risk of concussion for yourself and your loved ones.

Compassionate answers. Real support. Every step of the way.

Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 or braininjuryinfo@biausa.org to speak to a specialist about:

• Get help with care needs
• Legal and financial resources
• Services in your community

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Report to Congress on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Epidemiology and Rehabilitation. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Accessed June 15, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/tbi_report_to_congress_epi_and_rehab-a.pdf

2. Giza CC, Hovda DA. The new neurometabolic cascade of concussion. Neurosurgery. 2014;75(suppl_4):S24–S33.

3. Eisenberg MA, Meehan WP, 3rd, Mannix R. Duration and course of post-concussive symptoms. Pediatrics. Jun 2014;133(6):999–1006. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0158

4. Eisenberg MA, Andrea J, Meehan W, Mannix R. Time interval between concussions and symptom duration. Pediatrics. Jul 2013;132(1):8–17. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-0432

5. Covassin T, Moran R, Wilhelm K. Concussion symptoms and neurocognitive performance of high school and college athletes who incur multiple concussions. Am J Sports Med. Dec 2013;41(12):2885–9. doi:10.1177/0363546513499230

6. Déry J, Ouellet B, de Guise É, Bussières È L, Lamontagne ME. Prognostic factors for persistent symptoms in adults with mild traumatic brain injury: an overview of systematic reviews. Systematic reviews. Jul 20 2023;12(1):127. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02284-4

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Report to Congress: The Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children. 2018.

8. Ledoux A-A, Webster RJ, Clarke AE, et al. Risk of Mental Health Problems in Children and Youths Following Concussion. JAMA Network Open. 2022;5(3):e221235–e221235.

9. Emery CA, Barlow KM, Brooks BL, et al. A Systematic Review of Psychiatric, Psychological, and Behavioural Outcomes following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents. Can J Psychiatry. May 2016;61(5):259–69. doi:10.1177/0706743716643741

10. Izzy S, Tahir Z, Grashow R, et al. Concussion and Risk of Chronic Medical and Behavioral Health Comorbidities. J Neurotrauma. Jun 1 2021;38(13):1834–1841. doi:10.1089/neu.2020.7484

11. Barlow KM, Crawford S, Stevenson A, Sandhu SS, Belanger F, Dewey D. Epidemiology of postconcussion syndrome in pediatric mild traumatic brain injury. Pediatrics. 2010;126(2):e374–e381.

12. Marshall S LA, Curran D, Fischer L, Velikonja D, Bayley M. Living Concussion Guidelines: Guideline for Concussion & Prolonged Symptoms for Adults 18 years of Age or Older. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://concussionsontario.org

13. van Ierssel J, Ledoux AA, Tang K, et al. Symptom Burden, School Function, and Physical Activity One Year Following Pediatric Concussion. J Pediatr. Jan 2021;228:190–198.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.08.061

14. Rivara FP, Koepsell TD, Wang J, et al. Disability 3, 12, and 24 Months After Traumatic Brain Injury Among Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;128(5):e1129–e1138. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0840

15. Tator CH, Moore C, Buso C, et al. Cause of Concussion With Persisting Symptoms Is Associated With Long-Term Recovery and Symptom Type, Duration, and Number in a Longitudinal Cohort of 600 Patients. J Neurotrauma. Jun 2024;41(11-12):1384–1398. doi:10.1089/neu.2023.0263

16. Rost NS, Salinas J, Jordan JT, et al. The Brain Health Imperative in the 21st Century-A Call to Action: The AAN Brain Health Platform and Position Statement. Neurology. Sep 26 2023;101(13):570–579. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000207739

17. Bushnell C, Kernan WN, Sharrief AZ, et al. 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. Dec 2024;55(12):e344–e424. doi:10.1161/str.0000000000000475