Concussions
Learn how to prevent, identify and manage concussions.
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Recognize Symptoms of a Concussion
Everyone can help recognize a possible concussion if they know what to look for.
A person with a concussion might have any of the signs or symptoms listed below. They might show up right away or hours, or even days later. Just one sign or symptom is enough to suspect a concussion. Most people with a concussion do not lose consciousness.
Common Signs and SymptomsPhysical
- Headache
- Pressure in the head
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Ringing in the ears
- Balance problems
- Tired or low energy
- Drowsiness
- “Don’t feel right”
Cognitive (Thinking)
- Not thinking clearly
- Slower thinking
- Feeling confused
- Problems concentrating
- Problems remembering
Red Flags
“Red flags” may mean the person has a more serious injury. Treat red flags as an emergency and call 911.
Red flags include:- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling in arms or legs
- Severe or increasing headache
- Seizure or convulsion
- Loss of consciousness (knocked out)
- Vomiting more than once
- Increasingly restless, agitated or aggressive
- Getting more and more confused
Sleep-related
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Having a hard time falling asleep
Emotional
- Irritability (easily upset or angered)
- Depression
- Sadness
- Nervous or anxious
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What To Do If You Suspect a Concussion
Follow these three steps if you — or someone you know — experiences a blow to the head, face, neck or body and you suspect a concussion. Call 911 if you are concerned the injury is life threatening, such as the person is unconscious or they had a seizure.
- Recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion and remove yourself or the athlete from the sport/physical activity, even if you feel OK or they insist they are OK.
- Get yourself or the athlete checked out by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Support gradual return to school and sport.
These resources are not intended to provide medical advice relating to health care. For advice on health care for concussion symptoms, please consult with a physician or nurse practitioner.
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Know the Risks
You can get a concussion even if you do not black out or lose consciousness. Slips and falls can also increase concussion risk, especially in:
- young children
- senior citizens
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Take Time to Heal
It is important to take time and heal if you have a concussion. In some cases, concussions or repeat concussions can result in:
- swelling of the brain
- permanent brain damage
- death
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Rowan Law
On July 1, 2019, new rules came into effect through Rowan’s Law, to improve concussion safety in amateur competitive sport.
If you are an athlete under 26 years of age, parent of an athlete under 18, coach, team trainer or official and your sport organization has advised that you need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law you need to:- review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources before registering or serving with your sport organization; and
- review your sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct that they will provide to you; and
- confirm that you have reviewed both of these resources every year with your sport organization(s)
