Concussion

Only a healthcare provider can diagnose a concussion. It’s important to visit a provider if you hit your head, experience an injury or think you have any concussion symptoms.

Your provider will diagnose a concussion with a physical exam, a neurological exam or a specific concussion test. They’ll ask about any symptoms you’re experiencing and when they first started. Tell your provider if you know the exact moment or injury that caused your symptoms, and how long it took symptoms to develop after the injury or hit to the head.

During your exam, your provider will check your:

• Reflexes, balance, coordination and other neurological functions.
• Vision, including your eye reflexes and your response and sensitivity to light.
• Hearing.
• Strength.
• Neck and neck muscles.

Your provider may give you tests or puzzles to evaluate your:

• Problem-solving skills.
• Memory.
• Ability to concentrate

These tests may be written, verbal (spoken out loud) or technology-based (like on a computer or tablet).

Tell your provider if any part of the exam feels unusually hard or makes the symptoms worse. You know your mind and body better than anyone, and you can help point out if your balance is worse than usual or if it’s taking you much longer than normal to complete a puzzle.

Imaging tests can’t diagnose a concussion, but your provider may recommend a CT scan (computed tomography scan) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look for serious complications like bleeding in or around your brain.