How to Tell if a Person Has a Concussion

When someone suffers a violent, or even minor, blow to the head, the brain can be jarred, leading to bruising of the brain, tearing of blood vessels and injury to nerves. This can result in a temporary loss of normal brain function known as a concussion. Since it is a serious condition, it’s important to be able to tell if a person has a concussion and, if so, to seek medical treatment immediately. Read on to learn how to tell if a person has a concussion.

Instructions

• 1

  After a blow to the head, monitor her for several hours. Unusual tiredness is one sign of a concussion. If she wants to go to sleep, keep her awake.

• 2

  Ask if he is seeing stars or has a headache, both signs of a concussion.

• 3

  Stand back from her and hold up a certain number of fingers. Ask if she can make them out. Blurred vision is another sign of a concussion.

• 4

  Ask him to describe to you in detail what happened in the moments leading up to her hitting her head. Memory loss, slurred speech and saying things that don’t make sense are all signs of a concussion.

• 5

  Ask her to walk around the room to look for other signs of a concussion, including dizziness and balance or coordination problems.

• 6

  Expose him to bright light. Sensitivity is another sign of a concussion.

• 7

  Watch for vomiting, which can come much later after experiencing the blow to the head.

• 8

  Watch for anxious, irritable behavior and lack of feeling or emotions.

• 9

  If any of the above signs are present and persist, seek medical attention.