Concussion Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery: What You Need to Know

Millions of people in the U.S. get a concussion each year.

Whether you're raising active kids, a sports fan or participating in athletics yourself, chances are you've encountered — or will encounter — a concussion at some point. These brain injuries can affect anyone, from weekend warriors to professional athletes.

Concussions symptoms can be worrying and confusing, fading in days or lingering for weeks or months. Concussions can sideline elite athletes, keep kids home from school and make everyday tasks like driving or using a computer difficult. Meanwhile, it’s easy to wonder if you are doing enough to heal.

The good news? Concussion care is evolving. We spoke with Morgan Heinzelmann-Weisbaum, MD, a sports neurologist at Emory Healthcare who specializes in concussion care. Her interest in this field of medicine is personal. When she was a student athlete in college, she suffered a concussion that forced her to withdraw for a semester. The experience shaped her decision to become a sports neurologist.

Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum answered our common questions around concussion — from recognizing symptoms to concussion care myths.

“Concussion. Head injury. Traumatic brain injury. It’s easy to confuse these terms because they are interrelated,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum.

Here is the breakdown:

• Head injury: any trauma to the scalp, skull or brain
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): a type of head injury that involves trauma to the brain itself, and can range from mild to severe
• Concussion: a mild TBI that may not show up on imaging but can cause significant symptoms

“While a concussion is a mild TBI, concussions certainly don’t feel ‘mild’ when you are dealing with one days or weeks after the injury,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum.

Common concussion symptoms

Neurologists recognize about 20 different symptoms for concussion. Concussion symptoms fall into these three categories:

• Physical: headache, dizziness, brain fog, balance issues
• Cognitive: trouble concentrating, memory problems
• Psychological: irritability, anxiety

Headache is the most common, with other common symptoms being dizziness and brain fog.

Symptoms are similar in adolescents and adults. However, young children may not be able to clearly express the symptoms they’re experiencing. Concussion symptoms in kids may show up as behavioral changes — like irritability, clinginess or tantrums.

Several symptoms are cause for concern immediately after a concussion and in the hours afterward.

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Repeated vomiting
• Worsening confusion or drowsiness
• A headache that worsens and becomes severe
• New neurologic symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body, numbness or double vision

These symptoms may be a sign of a medical emergency.

“If someone is experiencing these symptoms, go to the emergency department,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum. Such symptoms may signal bleeding in the brain — which requires a CT scan (computed tomography). “Urgent and primary care clinics typically don’t have CT, so the emergency room is the place to go.”

What if symptoms are mild but persist?

“If symptoms linger beyond a day or two, I would recommend consulting a health care provider who specializes in concussion management,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum. “That could be a neurologist like me with sports neurology training or a sports medicine physician.”

At Emory Healthcare, appointments for concussion concerns are available quickly. Providers offer:

• Thorough evaluations and diagnosis
• Personalized treatment plans
• Support throughout recovery

We hope to give you peace of mind by helping you understand the concussion diagnosis and recovery process, while reminding you that you have a dedicated team supporting you every step of the way. 

“Treatment has come a long way in recent years,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum. “When I had my concussion in 2011, doctors were still promoting the idea of ‘cocooning’ — basically, telling someone with a concussion to go in a quiet, dark room until symptoms improved. That did not work for me. These days, research shows that cocooning actually can worsen and prolong symptoms.”

Another change relates to sleep. Previous guidance recommended that parents wake your child throughout the night after a concussion and look for signs of impairment. “However, we now understand the importance of sleep in the healing process. We advise people to let patients sleep.”

If you are concerned about your child’s health, Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum recommends bringing them to the emergency room for an immediate evaluation.

How do you care for a concussion?

Treatment in the days and weeks after a concussion focuses on two key steps:

• First, spend 24 to 48 hours of “relative rest.”
  “Rather than cocooning, take it easy. For instance, maybe don’t go to school or work the next day.”
  
  
• Then, engage in “sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise.”
  This involves exercising — usually on a stationary bike or treadmill — at a level that raises your heart rate without significantly worsening your symptoms. An athletic trainer or physical therapist monitors you, and over time, you gradually increase duration and intensity. The goal is to regulate the nervous system and promote recovery.

“Sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise is a game-changer. Research shows it speeds recovery, and I recommend it for nearly everyone after that initial rest period,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum.

Patients with concussion should also avoid contact sports until all symptoms are gone. The risk of severe injury is high when you still have symptoms. 

Long-term concussion symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Sensitivity to light or screens

It’s essential to work with a health care provider who understands your symptoms and can recommend a personalized treatment plan. Treatments can include:

• Sleep hygiene improvements
• Blue-light filters on devices
• Medicine for chronic headaches
• Specialized physical therapy for neck pain, dizziness and eye stability (a concussion can cause the eyes to not work in tandem) 

Can concussions be prevented? 

“Proper equipment and safe technique are essential. That said, no helmet can entirely prevent a concussion,” says Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum. “What matters most is awareness — know the signs, take them seriously and get evaluated promptly if an injury occurs.” 

Emory Healthcare is the official team healthcare provider for many of Atlanta’s professional sports teams, as well as area collegiate teams and athletic programs at more than 25 metro Atlanta high schools.   

“We are fortunate in the Atlanta area to have experienced athletic trainers at every level — from high school to the pros. If your team has an athletic trainer, we will work closely with them from the time of injury to safe return to play.” 
 
Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum says, “Our goal is the same as yours: to get you back on the field safely and as quickly as possible.” 

Also, please know that Emory specialists are here to support you after a concussion. If you are concerned about symptoms, please schedule an appointment with me or one of our sports medicine physicians. We will see you promptly and provide treatment strategies.  
 

Stay in the game with Emory Sports Neurology 

Whether you’re managing a concussion, navigating migraines or striving for peak athletic performance, Emory Sports Neurology is here to help. Connect with us today.