Symptoms of a concussion include impaired memory, prolonged headaches, visual disturbances, balance issues, irritability, sleep disturbance and fatigue.

First stop playing your sport and rest. This includes both mental and physical rest. Rest is very important after a concussion: It helps the brain heal. Ignoring your symptoms and trying to “tough it out” often makes symptoms worse. Everyone heals differently: Be patient and realize that symptoms take time to go away. We now recommend early but gradual return to light non-contact exercise and activities to help stimulate recovery, but this is best managed by your health care professional.

If you have a history of chronic headaches, anxiety or depression, it may take longer or make it more difficult to adjust to the symptoms of a concussion. It is important that you avoid any further concussions or hits to the head during the healing process.

Early management of concussions can make a big difference in identifying the symptoms and getting you back to sports or work sooner: It’s best to first see your primary care or sports medicine provider for concussion treatment. But if your symptoms don’t get better in 2-3 weeks, national guidelines recommend referral to a concussion specialty program.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms, go to the Emergency Room:

1. Loss of consciousness
2. One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
3. Convulsions or seizures
4. Increased confusion; cannot recognize people or places
5. Unusual behavior; unable to walk or talk normally
6. Repeated vomiting

A concussion specialist has experience in caring for concussions and understanding the many issues that may come up. Concussion specialists can also help you develop a thorough recovery plan based on your lifestyle. They usually collaborate with a therapy team, allowing for a thorough evaluation of your condition.

The OHSU Sports Concussion Program addresses every part of sports concussions, from on-field assessment and physician evaluations to rehabilitation and return to academics and sports. Our team, located at the OHSU Center for Healing on Portland’s South Waterfront and at OHSU Gabriel Park clinic includes sports medicine doctors; physical, occupational and speech-language therapists; counselors; neurologists; neurosurgeons; neuropsychologists; and athletic trainers specializing in concussion.