How Long Do Concussion Symptoms Last?

how-long-do-concussion-symptoms-last Concussions are perhaps the most common form of brain damage worldwide. Millions of concussions are reported in the United States every year from sports alone, and they seem to be an inevitability in full-contact sports such as football. Career athletes tend to feel especially restless about recovery times, but anyone who suffers a concussion may be tempted to return to life as normal sooner than they should if not educated well enough. Here at AICA Conyers, we want to educate the public on how long you can expect to stay benched from a concussion and what could happen if you don’t wait long enough to return.

Here’s how to best answer “how long do concussions last” to experience concussion symptoms and the risks of returning to normal activities too soon. Understanding the nature of concussions and their symptoms is key to ensuring a full and safe recovery.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It can also result from a sudden impact to the body that causes the head and brain to move back and forth rapidly. This movement can lead to the brain bouncing around inside the skull, causing chemical changes and potential damage to brain cells.

When the brain experiences this rapid motion, it can cause temporary dysfunction in brain activity. Neurons, which are responsible for transmitting signals throughout the brain and body, can become damaged, leading to disruptions in cognitive function, balance, and emotional regulation. Concussions can also trigger an inflammatory response in the brain. This swelling can further disrupt normal brain function, leading to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Unlike other injuries where pain is visible or easily localized, concussions are internal and can be harder to detect without proper medical evaluation.

Although concussions are often classified as “mild” TBIs, they can have serious long-term consequences if not properly managed. While they are not typically life-threatening, repeated or untreated concussions can lead to cognitive decline, mood disorders, and in rare cases, even fatal brain swelling. Research has also linked repeated concussions to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly seen in athletes and military personnel exposed to repeated head trauma.

Symptoms of a Concussion

Concussion symptoms can vary from person to person, and they don’t always show up immediately after the injury. Some symptoms are apparent right away, while others may take hours or even days to develop. Here’s a breakdown of common concussion symptoms:

Cognitive Symptoms

Confusion and Disorientation: One of the most noticeable symptoms of a concussion is confusion. The person may appear dazed, struggle to focus, and have trouble responding to questions or following conversations.
Memory Loss: Many people experience amnesia related to the event. They may not remember what happened just before or after the injury.
Difficulty Concentrating: Simple tasks like reading, watching TV, or following instructions can become challenging.
Brain Fog: A general feeling of mental sluggishness or disorientation.

Physical Symptoms

Headaches: A persistent headache is one of the most common symptoms and may worsen over time.
Dizziness and Balance Issues: You may feel lightheaded, unsteady, or experience vertigo.
Nausea and Vomiting: Some people feel sick to their stomach or even vomit after a concussion.
Blurred or Double Vision: Visual disturbances, such as sensitivity to light or trouble focusing, can occur.
Sensitivity to Motion: Feeling dizzy or nauseated with head movement.
Neck Pain or Stiffness: Caused by the impact affecting surrounding muscles.
Tingling or Numbness: Unusual sensations in the face or limbs.

Other Concussion Symptoms

Mood Changes: Increased irritability, sadness, or anxiety can be signs of a concussion.
Fatigue and Drowsiness: Many people feel excessively tired and may sleep more than usual.
Insomnia: On the other hand, some may have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Increased Sensitivity to Stress: Difficulty handling emotional or environmental stress.
Frequent Nightmares: Sleep disturbances related to head trauma.

These and other symptoms and signs usually appear immediately after an injury. However, you may not realize the severity of the injury at first, and some symptoms may take hours or days to appear. For example, the patient may only appear confused or dazed in the initial few minutes following the impact, but an hour later, they may be unable to recall how they were injured.

How Long Does a Concussion Last?

The length of your concussion symptoms varies widely depending on the severity of the injury and your health history. Some people recover in a few days, while others experience symptoms for weeks or even months. On average, most mild concussions resolve within 7 to 14 days, but some people experience post-concussion symptoms for several weeks or months. If symptoms persist for more than three months, it’s crucial to seek medical attention, as this could indicate a more severe underlying issue.

While many people recover quickly, some factors can prolong healing time, including:

Age: Children and older adults often take longer to recover.
History of Concussions: If you’ve had previous concussions, your recovery may be slower.
Severity of the Injury: More severe impacts tend to result in longer-lasting symptoms.
Pre-existing Conditions: Those with a history of migraines, ADHD, or mental health disorders may experience prolonged recovery.

If you’re wondering, “how long do concussion symptoms last?” and you have one or more of the factors above, talk to your doctor about what to expect with your recovery.

How Long Will My Recovery Take?

Recovering from a concussion is a gradual process that varies from person to person. With proper medical care, a concussion may be resolved in around 7-10 days on average, though some cases can take over a month to resolve. However, children and adolescents will likely take longer than this to fully recover. There are also certain pre-existing factors that may lead to longer recovery times, such as a prior history of headaches. Your recovery time is non-negotiable. Since a concussion is a brain injury, mild or not, it will affect your entire existence until it is resolved, and any interruptions to the healing process can risk permanent brain damage. Recovery time can depend on several factors, including age, the severity of the concussion, and individual medical history. Children and adolescents often experience longer recovery periods due to their developing brains. Additionally, people with a prior history of migraines, concussions, or other neurological conditions may require more time to heal.

With any brain injury, it’s best to consult a doctor about a recovery plan that’s right for you. However, you can generally expect yours to look like this.

Rest

For the first few days after a concussion, you should limit all activity, mental and physical. Bedrest is very important, but so is keeping your brain from thinking too hard, as you could actually damage it in this state by doing so. Most importantly, make sure lots of healthy sleep is had, as sleep is an important function in healthy brain function as a whole. Napping throughout the day is also encouraged.

Light Activity

As your recovery progresses, you can start to introduce light physical and mental activities back into your schedule. Heavy emphasis on “light”: these activities should involve as little risk of head injury as possible and shouldn’t involve any strenuous exercise. Mentally, you can also try returning to a normal amount of cognitive exercise, but if you’re finding an excess of difficulty in doing so, cut back until you’re up for the task.

Moderate Activity

At this point, you’re almost ready to go back to life as normal, but strenuous exercise should only be done with a doctor’s approval. If concussion symptoms flare up or worsen, then you should immediately cut back and go into a more intense recovery state in order to avoid re-injury. Once symptoms fade entirely, you may return to your regular activities.

How Long Can a Concussion Last If Left Untreated?

Returning to normal activities too soon can worsen symptoms and increase the risk of a second concussion, which can be far more dangerous. In some cases, an untreated concussion can lead to second impact syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition in which the brain swells rapidly after a second head injury. Proper rest and medical supervision are essential to ensure full recovery. If you or a loved one experiences persistent symptoms, seeking medical attention is crucial. Concussions should always be taken seriously, regardless of how mild they may seem. While most people recover within a couple of weeks, some experience longer-lasting symptoms that require careful management. If you suspect you have a concussion, rest, avoid strenuous activities, and seek medical guidance before resuming normal activities.

Potential Consequences of a Concussion

Post-Concussion Syndrome

Some people experience lingering symptoms well beyond the typical recovery period. This is referred to as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), and it can persist for weeks, months, or even years. PCS symptoms can include:

Fatigue
Irritability
Anxiety
Loss of concentration and memory
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Sensitivity to noise and light
Blurred vision
Insomnia

Second Impact Syndrome

One of the most dangerous risks associated with concussions is second impact syndrome (SIS). This occurs when a person suffers a second head injury before the first concussion has fully healed. Even a mild head injury in this vulnerable state can cause rapid and severe brain swelling, which can be fatal. Due to the high risks, it is crucial to follow medical advice and avoid returning to activities that could lead to another concussion too soon.

As stated before, a lack of proper care for a concussion can have severe consequences. A concussion cannot be “toughed out,” so to speak, and proper recovery is vital for ensuring that your risk for further issues stays as low as possible. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of concussions are still not well-known due to a lack of reporting, study, and understanding, but we do know that sometimes concussion symptoms can persist indefinitely. This is referred to as post-concussion syndrome and tends to also include symptoms like fatigue, irritability, anxiety, blurred vision, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), insomnia, loss of concentration and memory, and sensitivity to noise and light.

There is also the rare but very possible occurrence of second hit syndrome, which occurs when a patient receives another head injury while the concussion is healing. Even a mild head injury can cause massive brain swelling, swiftly killing a patient. One unfortunate case that received public attention in recent years was the case of 17-year-old Rowan Stringer, whose tragic death inspired new youth sports regulations in Canada regarding concussion awareness and intervention.

At AICA Conyers, we believe that gentle chiropractic treatment can be used to treat the headaches and migraines that may result from a concussion. Consider visiting our clinic today, so we may help you clear your head.

FAQ: Concussions and Headaches

How long can a concussion last?

The duration of a concussion varies depending on the severity of the injury and the person. Most concussions resolve within a few days to a few weeks with proper rest and care. However, some symptoms may linger for a longer period, and in rare cases, individuals may experience post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms last for months or even longer.

How long do headaches last after a concussion?

Headaches after a concussion can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In some cases, headaches may persist for a longer period, particularly if the person has post-concussion syndrome. It’s important to seek medical attention if headaches continue or worsen over time.

How long does a concussion headache last?

A concussion headache typically lasts from a few hours to several days. However, for some individuals, it may persist for weeks or even months, especially if the concussion is more severe or if post-concussion syndrome develops.

Category: General