If you had a mild concussion (a head injury), watch closely for signs of problems during the first 48 hours after the injury. Follow the doctor's advice about recovering at home. Use the tips on this handout as a guide.
You should not be left alone after a concussion. If no adult can stay with the injured person, let the doctor know.
Have someone call
The first 48 hours after a concussion
Don't take medicine unless approved by your doctor. Try placing a cold, damp cloth on your head to help relieve a headache.
- Ask the doctor before using any medicines.
- Don't drink alcohol or take sedatives or medicines that make you sleepy.
- Don't return to sports or any activity that could cause you to hit your head until all symptoms are gone and your doctor says it's okay. A second head injury before fully recovering from the first one can lead to serious brain injury.
- If a child is without symptoms when resting, then a slow increase in activities can begin. Each step should take about 24 hours. Only move to the next step if the child remains without symptoms. If symptoms happen again, the child should return to the previous step that didn't result in symptoms. It should take about 7 days or more to go back to normal activities with this method.
- Don't do activities that need a lot of concentration or a lot of attention, including video games. This will let your brain rest and heal faster.
- Check with your doctor that it's okay to return to regular physical and mental activities.
Tips about sleeping after a concussion
Sleeping is okay and it's usually not necessary to have someone wake you up from sleep after a mild concussion. But you will want someone to help check your alertness over the next 24 to 72 hours.
If your doctor does recommend that you have someone wake you up every 2 to 3 hours, you should be able to know where you are when awakened. Follow your doctor's specific directions.
When to contact your doctor
Call the doctor if any of the following occur:
- Vomiting. Some vomiting is common, but tell the doctor about any vomiting.
- Clear or bloody drainage from the nose or ear
- Constant drowsiness or trouble waking up
- Confusion or memory loss
- Blurred vision or any vision changes
- Inability to walk or talk normally
- Increased weakness or problems with coordination
- Constant, unrelieved headache that becomes more severe
- Changes in behavior or personality
- High-pitched crying in infants
- Signs of stroke, such as paralysis of parts of the body
- Uncontrolled movements suggesting a seizure
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
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