Signs & Symptoms of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
It is important to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of mTBI. If you recognize such an injury to yourself or to anyone you care about, speak up.
Pain & Physical Sensation
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Loses consciousness (even briefly)
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness or tingling
Problems With Memory & Cognition
- Appears dazed or stunned; answers questions slowly
- Can’t recall events after hit, bump, or fall
- Confusion about what has happened
- Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or remembering
Vision & Sleep Disturbances
- Blurry or double vision
- Sensitivity to light and/or noise
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Sleeping more or less than usual
Changes In Personality
- Behavior or personality changes
- Does not “feel right”
- Feeling slowed down, sluggish, hazy, groggy, or foggy
- More irritable, sad, nervous, or emotional than usual
The Myth
Headgear protects the brain from concussions. (It doesn’t.)
The Truth
The real damage is dealt through rotational forces that cause the brain to shear. Brain shearing is stretching what shouldn’t be stretched: brain tissue slides against brain tissue—pulling the axons particularly where white and grey matter meet.