The signs and symptoms of a sports concussion can appear immediately after the injury or may develop hours later. They generally fall into four categories: physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, emotional symptoms, and sleep related symptoms.
⚠️ Important To Remember: Not all symptoms show up right away. Some may develop over hours or even days after the injury.
>Headache or pressure in the head
>Dizziness or balance problems
>Nausea or vomiting
>Blurred or double vision
>Sensitivity to light or noise
>Feeling sluggish, groggy, or “in a fog”
>Trouble concentrating or remembering things
>Confusion or feeling “off”
>Mood changes (irritable, sad, nervous)
>Sleeping more or less than usual
>Trouble falling asleep
>Appears dazed, stunned, or confused
>Forgets plays or seems unsure of position
>Moves clumsily or has trouble with balance
>Answers questions slowly
>Can’t recall what happened before or after the hit
>Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
>Personality, behavior, or mood changes
⚠️ Important To Remember: Loss of consciousness is not required for a concussion to occur. Athletes, coaches, and parents should monitor for any of these symptoms after a head or body impact, and medical evaluation should be sought if a concussion is suspected.
These are warning signs that mean an athlete needs immediate emergency medical care:
>Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
>Repeated vomiting
>Seizures or convulsions
>Worsening or severe headache
>Trouble waking up or staying awake
>Slurred speech
>Unequal pupil size (one larger than the other)
>Clear fluid or blood coming from the nose or ears
>Sudden weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination
>Increased confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
👉 If any of these symptoms appear, call 911 or seek emergency medical help right away.
Click on the link below to access a great resource from the CDC for signs and symptoms specific to your child’s age.
Every athlete is different, so signs and symptoms for one might not look the same for another. And can differ from one age to another, and from male to female. In addition to that, some concussions have mild to no obvious symptoms. As a parent or caregiver, you know your child best. Keep a close eye on their behavior and how they’re feeling, and watch for any changes. If you notice their symptoms getting worse, or something just doesn’t feel right, contact their healthcare provider right away and share what you’ve observed.
© [2012-2025] · The Right Fit