The First Few Days After Concussion
Click below to take the NEW NS Sport Concussion Awareness eModule – FREE AND ONLINE
Targeted at athletes (ages 12+) and parents/caregivers. Covering awareness, identification, reporting, return to sport, and prevention
(If you aren’t affiliated with a sports organization, select “Sideline Learning” as the PSO you’re affiliated with during the registration process)
- What is a concussion?
- Signs / symptoms
- Management / recovery
- Prevention
- Sports resources
- More resources
A concussion is a brain injury that can affect how your brain works. Concussions may happen because of a hit to the head, face, neck or somewhere else on the body. When a hit takes place, the brain moves back and forth inside the skull. If it moves hard enough, the brain can become injured. This can make your brain and body work and feel different.
Concussion signs and symptoms may appear immediately or can evolve after several minutes or hours. A loss of consciousness is not required for the diagnosis of concussion. Concussions do not usually show up on medical investigations like blood work, MRIs or x-rays. They are diagnosed based on symptoms and mechanism of injury. Medical professionals can help rule out more serious conditions. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse with proper rest, or if you are not seeing any improvement in your symptoms after 48 hours of rest, contact a medical professional immediately.
Resources:
Concussion Awareness and Information Card (Brain Injury NS) >
Following a concussion, you may feel many different symptoms. Some symptoms may appear right away, and some may appear later. Some may appear when you start thinking or exercising. Some may be subtle and may go unnoticed by you but may be noticed by co-workers, teachers, friends, or family. No two concussions are the same. However, these are some common symptoms:
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- Difficulty concentrating/paying attention
- Memory problems
- Headache
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Vision problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Sleep problems
If you suspect you have had a concussion, stop playing, studying, working or driving. You should not be alone for 24-48 hours. You should go to a doctor or emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms:
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- Weakness or tingling/burning in arms/legs
- Sudden or severe vomiting
- Severe or worsening headache
- Increasingly restless, agitated, or combative behaviour
- Seizure or convulsion
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Loss of consciousness
- Double vision
- Increased confusion
- Changes in behaviour
- Fluid or bleeding from the ear or nose
Resources:
Concussion Recognition Tool, 6th edition (CRT6) >
Most people who have a mild concussion who have proper rest and management will start to feel better in a few days and be “back to normal” in 3-5 weeks. A small percentage of people will have long lasting symptoms. No two concussions are alike!
After you have had a concussion, you need to rest your body (physical rest) and your brain (mental rest). Rest helps your brain heal so you can return to the activities you want and need to do.
In the first 24-48 hours:
- Take a few days off work or school
- Avoid activities that involve thinking and/or screen use (e.g., texting, cell phone, computer, TV, reading)
- Get plenty of rest and sleep
- Avoid activities that are physically demanding (e.g., jogging, working out, playing with friends)
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not drive
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Resources:
Return to School Guidelines (Brain Injury NS) >
Return to Sport Guidelines (Brain Injury NS) >
Return to Work Guidelines (Brain Injury NS) >
Return to Daily Life Guidelines (Brain Injury NS) >
Protective equipment can reduce the risk and severity of brain injury. It is important to have a good quality, properly fitted hard hat/helmet for sports and activities with risk of falls or impacts to the head. Safety procedures should be mandated on work sites and protective equipment should be certified and well maintained.
If you have had a concussion, you may be more likely to be injured again. Further, if you get another concussion before you have healed properly, your symptoms can be worse, and your recovery can be longer. Be sure to follow the return to school, work and play guidelines to reduce your risk of a second injury.
Because concussions are invisible injuries, education and awareness are essential tools to help other people understand this injury and its consequences.
Resources:
Which Helmet for Which Activity? (Parachute Canada) >
In partnership with the Provincial Government, Sport Nova Scotia, and Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic, we are happy to provide the most up-to-date resources, protocols, and guidelines for sport-related concussion in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Return to Sport After Concussion Guidelines >
Nova Scotia Concussion Education eModule for Athletes (12+) & Parents >
In partnership with the Provincial Government, Sport Nova Scotia, and Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic, we are happy to provide the most up-to-date resources, protocols, and guidelines for sport-related concussion in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Return to Sport After Concussion Guidelines >
Nova Scotia Concussion Education eModule for Athletes (12+) & Parents >
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Watch the videos below produced as part of Concussion Awareness Day featuring players, coaches, medical experts, and families in Nova Scotia sharing their stories of concussion and why it’s important to learn more: |
Watch the videos below produced as part of Concussion Awareness Day featuring players, coaches, medical experts, and families in Nova Scotia sharing their stories of concussion and why it’s important to learn more:
A CONVERSATION ON CONCUSSIONJoin athletes, coaches, officials, parents and experts in the field of Sports Medicine to explore concussion across Atlantic Canada. Created as part of 2022 Atlantic Concussion Awareness Day. Hosted by Adam Detienne, and featuring guests Dr. Tina Atkinson [MD CCFP (SEM)], Stephanie Cowle, Gail Macartney [RN-(NP), PhD], Kita McRory, and Gordon Stringer. |
A CONVERSATION ON CONCUSSION
Join athletes, coaches, officials, parents and experts in the field of Sports Medicine to explore concussion across Atlantic Canada. Created as part of 2022 Atlantic Concussion Awareness Day. Hosted by Adam Detienne, and featuring guests Dr. Tina Atkinson [MD CCFP (SEM)], Stephanie Cowle, Gail Macartney [RN-(NP), PhD], Kita McRory, and Gordon Stringer.
NS SPORTS CONCUSSION CHAMPIONSWatch the excellent short videos below produced as part of 2021 NS Concussion Awareness Day featuring players and coaches in Nova Scotia sharing their stories of concussion or view the full 50-minute 2021 NS Concussion Awareness Day event, including a panel of medical experts and host Bruce Rainnie discussing the topics covered the videos above and more during multiple panel discussions and a Q&A on sport concussions. |
NS SPORTS CONCUSSION CHAMPIONS
Watch the excellent short videos below produced as part of 2021 NS Concussion Awareness Day featuring players and coaches in Nova Scotia sharing their stories of concussion or view the full 50-minute 2021 NS Concussion Awareness Day event above, including a panel of medical experts and host Bruce Rainnie discussing the topics covered the videos above and more during multiple panel discussions and a Q&A on sport concussion.
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Concussion Information CardsCreated in consultation with brain injury professionals in NS to include the most up-to-date information on concussion education, prevention, recovery, and more. These cards are also distributed in emergency rooms across the province.
Downloadable PDF Versions:Portrait >Landscape > |
Concussion Information Cards
Created in consultation with brain injury professionals in NS to include the most up-to-date information on concussion education, prevention, recovery, and more. These cards are also distributed in emergency rooms across the province.
Downloadable PDF Versions:
Portrait >
Landscape >
From Our Concussion Cafe Group:
These resources were created to help survivors, families, and the public better understand the changes that occur after a concussion, and how to adapt to these changes (click images to view expanded/downloadable PDF versions).
Learn more about our Concussion Cafe Support Group >
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From Our Concussion Cafe Group:
These resources were created to help survivors, families, and the public better understand the changes that occur after a concussion, and how to adapt to these changes (click images to view expanded/downloadable PDF versions).
Learn more about our Concussion Cafe Support Group >
Concussion White Paper:
We are thrilled to officially launch our Concussion White Paper, in partnership with Concussion Nova Scotia – this White Paper identifies the gaps and challenges in concussion care in Nova Scotia and proposes solutions to help clinicians effectively diagnose and manage concussions using a cost-effective, evidence-based approach. The next steps include the importance of concussion awareness, education, prevention and research as well as improving access to care for Nova Scotians.
Read Full Document >
Concussion White Paper
We are thrilled to officially launch our Concussion White Paper, in partnership with Concussion Nova Scotia – this White Paper identifies the gaps and challenges in concussion care in Nova Scotia and proposes solutions to help clinicians effectively diagnose and manage concussions using a cost-effective, evidence-based approach. The next steps include the importance of concussion awareness, education, prevention and research as well as improving access to care for Nova Scotians.