Symptoms of a concussion can linger for months and may be warning signs of more dangerous and permanent problems.
Concussion symptoms fall into four categories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Signs of a concussion include:
- Thinking & Remembering
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Problems with concentration
- Difficulty remembering
- Emotional
- Irritability
- Sadness
- Heightened emotions
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Crying in young children
- Physical
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Early onset nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Sensitivity to noise or light
- Sleeping
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Difficulty falling asleep
A person should seek medical help if concussion symptoms worsen or do not go away.
A 2000 survey found that about 26 percent of former NFL players had suffered three or more concussions during their careers, and those who sustained concussions had more long-term problems with memory, concentration and speech. The NFL concussion lawsuits continue to highlight not only the immediate problems associated with concussions, but more importantly the long-term consequences of repeated head injuries.
