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Concussion Information and After Care for Adults

A concussion is also called mild traumatic brain injury and head injury. It is caused by a force that damages brain tissue and disrupts brain function. It can be from a blow to the head or body, falls, assaults, sports, blasts or car accidents. Concussions are diagnosed by a provider based on an evaluation and exam. They are not diagnosed from blood tests or brain scans (such as an X-ray or CT scan).  

It is hard to predict the types of symptoms you may have and how long they may last. Symptoms may not appear right away, but may develop within hours or days after the injury. Most people with a concussion recover in 10 to 14 days. When symptoms last longer, it is called persistent post-concussion symptoms. If you were diagnosed with a concussion in the past, recovery may be slower.

 

Concussion symptoms: 

  • Headache 
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy 
  • Feeling very tired (fatigue) 
  • Feeling sensitive to light and sounds
  • Intermittent vision changes
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Mood changes (which can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and/or mood swings)

 

Do the following after a Concussion: 

  • Do light aerobic activity (such as daily walking) to increase your heart rate.
  • Limit screen time for the first 1 to 3 days.
  • Limit caffeine.
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule, limit the use of electronics before bed.
  • Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for mild headaches. Avoid using NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) for the first 48 hours. You can use NSAIDs after the first few days following injury. This is because the risk of bleeding is much lower a few days out. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, speak with your doctor before using pain medications.  
    • You can take 500-1,000 mg of acetaminophen every 4-6 hours. You should not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen daily.
    • You can take 400-800 mg of ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. You should not exceed 3,200 mg of ibuprofen daily.

 

Avoid the following after a Concussion: 

  • Heavy lifting or straining
  • Substance use (alcohol, and street drugs)
  • Contact sports/activities (such as football and wrestling) until cleared by a health care provider.
  • Driving or operating heavy machinery.
  • Activities which require increased concentration or attention. You may require accommodations when returning to work.

 

Call your primary care provider or return to the Emergency Department (ED) right away if you have these signs or symptoms: 

  • Repeated vomiting 
  • Headache or dizziness that is severe or gets worse 
  • Stiff neck
  • Feeling drowsier
  • Persistent vision changes or changes in size of your eye pupils
  • Redness, warmth, or pus from the injured area
  • Any fluid or blood draining from your nose or ears 
  • New bruising behind the ears or around your eyes 
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Slurring of speech or mixing up words 

 

Call 911 right away if any of these happen:

  • Seizure 
  • Loss of consciousness 
  • Trouble waking up
  • Weakness or numbness in any part of the body 
  • Continuous vomiting 

 

Follow Up Care: 

Follow up with your primary care provider within 1 week of injury.

Follow up with the NYU Langone Health Concussion Center after 1 week if you have persistent symptoms.

NYU Langone Health Concussion Center 
855-698-2220 
240 East 38th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY, 10016 

 

General referral number for NYU Langone to find a doctor: 646-929-7970

 

©2023 NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.