Mild traumatic brain injury
The signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) may include:
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Headache
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, as well as the following symptoms that may appear within the first hours to days after a head injury:
- Loss of consciousness from a few minutes to hours
- Profound confusion
- Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of bladder control or bowel control
- Persistent headache or headache that worsens
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ear
Children’s symptoms
Infants and young children with brain injuries often lack the communication skills to report headaches, sensory problems, confusion and other symptoms. In a child with traumatic brain injury, you may observe:
- Change in nursing or eating habits
- Persistent crying
- Unusual or easy irritability
- Change in ability to pay attention
- Inability to be consoled
- Change in sleep habits
- Sad or depressed mood
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
